Tobacco greenhouse pests - Aphids

Red & green color forms of the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae). Photo: Sterling Southern, NCSU.

I have gotten two calls and emails about aphids in tobacco greenhouses, specifically the red color form of the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae). This topic was among those I addressed in the very first Tobacco Connection Newsletter last March. Although they appear different, the red, green, and orange color forms of the green peach aphid are the same species and are managed in the same fashion. The main difference, other than color, of these different color forms is their environmental preferences and interactions with pesticides. In general, the green color form prefers cool temperatures and is more susceptible to pesticides. The red color form predominates in hot weather and has been documented to develop resistance to pesticides used in tobacco more readily.

We typically seen green color forms early in the season while red color forms dominate during the hotter summer months. Both color forms can be found year round in North Carolina, however. Virtually all conventional tobacco grown in North Carolina is treated with systemic neonicotiniods (imidacloprid and thiamethoxam) to control aphids and flea beetles in the field. For greenhouses with aphid infestations where transplant is within 5 days, these materials can be applied and will kill aphids prior to transplant. For aphid infested greenhouses where transplant is more than 5 days off, other treatments are available (see the NC Ag Chem Manual for specific recommendations or contact me and see A note on pesticide recommendations).

More information
NC State Tobacco Connection 1(1). March 22, 2010

NC State Tobacco Connection

What's this? See NC State Tobacco Connection for the answer.

The first issue of a new newsletter, spearheaded by Dr. Sandy Stewart, is out. You can access an online version of the newsletter here. NC State Tobacco Connections will be published as needed, but probably at least once per month. If there are topics that you feel need to be covered, please let me know.

This edition includes articles on planting date timing, fumigation under sub optimal conditions, and an article by me on greenhouse pest management. Sandy is the newest member of our tobacco extension group, which means I am no longer the new kid! Sandy joined us in January, having previously served on the faculty of Louisiana State University as a cotton specialist, but he is an alumnus of NC State, and we're certainly glad to have him back.