A Detailed Guide to the Latest Control Methods for Wheat Aphids
Wheat aphids are one of the main pests of wheat, commonly known as oil insects, greasy insects, honey insects, etc. They pierce and suck the sap of wheat, affecting wheat photosynthesis as well as nutrient absorption and translocation. After wheat heads out, they gather on the spikes to cause damage, forming shriveled grains, reducing the thousand-grain weight and causing yield loss. They occur in wheat-growing regions all over the world. Now let us take a look together at the control methods for wheat aphids!
Using Natural Enemies
There are many kinds of natural enemies of wheat aphids in wheat fields, mainly ladybugs, hoverflies, green lacewings, spiders, aphid parasitic wasps, etc., among which ladybugs and aphid parasitic wasps are the most important. These natural enemy resources should be protected and utilized. When the ratio of beneficial insects to pests reaches 1:80 or the rate of mummified aphids reaches 30%, the use of natural enemies should be the main approach, with no or little use of chemical pesticides, and every effort should be made to avoid killing natural enemies when treating aphids. To give full play to the role of natural enemies, artificial breeding and release or assisted migration can also be carried out when necessary to control wheat aphid damage.
Chemical Control
1. For seed treatment, 60% imidacloprid Gemeng FS and 20% Lemai seed dressing can be used to reduce the number of pesticide applications for aphids.
2. For seedling aphids in early spring and before the end of the year, use 25% Dagongniu and spray it together with herbicides.
3. For spike aphids, use 25% Dagongniu thiamethoxam granules mixed with 5% Ruigong microemulsion, or use them separately.
Agricultural Control
1. Arrange crops rationally. In areas where winter and spring wheat are mixed, make the planting as uniform as possible; for autumn crops, use corn and millet, etc., as much as possible, and at the same time select some insect-resistant and disease-tolerant wheat varieties.
2. Before sowing, use seed coating agent plus Xin Gao Zhi Mo for seed dressing, which can repel underground pests and diseases, isolate viral infection, does not affect the imbibition function for germination, strengthens respiration intensity, and improves the seed germination rate.
3. Sow winter wheat appropriately late, carry out winter irrigation, and harrow and compact the soil in early spring. During crop growth, apply fertilizer and water according to need, ensuring that NPK and soil moisture match reasonably, so as to promote robust plant growth.
4. After rain, drain water promptly to prevent moisture retention. At the booting stage, spray Zhuangsui Ling to strengthen the physiological functions of the crop, improve the quality of pollination and grain filling, increase the thousand-grain weight, and raise the yield.