A new sugarcane aphid variety, not the typical yellow sugarcane aphid, is devastating South Texas grain sorghum. Evidence found last fall predicted the pests were going to be a problem, so entomologists warned farmers to review their pest management plans in case of an infestation.
The aphids deposit severe honeydew on grain sorghum plants, creating harvest problems for many growers.
Sorghum producers in Texas now have been cleared to use Transform, a product from Dow AgroSciences that is proving effective, according to Southwest Farm Press. The product was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in April for use in grain sorghum in Texas.
Dimethoate is a second recommended treatment, although the protected length is shorter in controlling sugarcane aphid in grain sorghum.