Buckthorn Watch
Aphid Hunt
The Buckthorn Watch program is collecting data on soybean aphid populations. As described on the IMPACTS page of this website, the presence of common buckthorn has facilitated the invasion of the soybean aphid, a damaging crop pest. We will survey the abundance of this pest on common buckthorn in the spring and fall.
Interested in participating in this Aphid Hunt? Review the information below for details on how you can get involved!
Soybean Aphid Life Cycle: The soybean aphid overwinters on common buckthorn in the egg stage. In the spring aphids feed on common buckthorn for 1-3 generations, then winged forms are produced that migrate to soybean fields. Multiple generations can occur during the summer on soybean. Wingless aphids will be produced within soybean fields when plants are in good condition. When plants begin to deteriorate, winged aphids are produced that migrate to other soybean fields. In the fall when soybean plant begin to dry out and the temperature declines, soybean aphids migrate from soybean to common buckthorn. This is the only time that both male and female aphids are present. During the rest of the year all aphids are female and reproduce clonally, or without mating. The male and female aphids mate on common buckthorn in the fall and females lay eggs near leaf buds. CLICK HERE to examine a diagram of this life cycle.
Identifying Soybean Aphid: Soybean aphids are small (about the size of a pin head). They are light green to yellow soft bodied insects. They are oval in shape with two protruding black cornicles (often referred to as "tailpipes") on their abdomen. The winged aphids have four clear wings that are as large or larger than their body length. To learn how to identify soybean aphid CLICK HERE to view a guide titled "Identification of soybean aphid and look-alike species" by A. Herbert, S. Malone, E. Cullen and S. Ratcliffe.
How to participate in Aphid Hunt: If you report a common buckthorn infestation and are willing to return to the site to survey for aphids in the spring and fall we would appreciate your help with our Aphid Hunt project. Aphid Hunt participants will receive an email each spring and fall that indicates a 2-week "open season" to visit their buckthorn sites to hunt for aphids. The exact dates will depend on weather conditions.
During both the spring and fall visit, you will examine 200 common buckthorn leaves for soybean aphid. Both winged and wingless aphids may be present on buckthorn leaves. A data sheet will be provided by email to record aphid abundance. If any aphids are found, they will be collected by placing infested leaves into a plastic zip-close bag. When you get home place this bag in the freezer. Next, email us at buckthornwatch@osu.edu to obtain a mailing kit to send your aphid sample to the Buckthorn Watch team.
