–by Dr. Jeff Whitworth and Dr. Holly Schwarting
We have started finding a few cowpea aphids on alfalfa stems in north central Kansas (see photo). However, there are also many lady beetles, lacewings, and mummies, which indicate parasitoid activity, present (see photos). Aphid populations can increase rapidly and swathing will remove many aphids, but not all of them. So fields should be rechecked weekly. For more information on cowpea aphids, please visit: http://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF2865.pdf
