Exotic Pest Alert: Identification of Russian Wheat Aphid and associated crop damage

Russian wheat aphid (Diuraphis noxia), a major pest of wheat and barley, has not yet been found in Australia, but poses a major threat to the Australian grains industry.

The global distribution of Russian wheat aphid continues to expand, aided by the ease of international travel.

If not controlled Russian wheat aphid can cause up to 80 and 100% yield loss in wheat and barley respectively.

Russian wheat aphid is also a minor pest of oats, rye, sorghum and triticale and a vector of barley yellow dwarf virus, brome mosaic virus and barley stripe mosaic virus.

The Russian wheat aphid’s host range also includes several non-crop grass species that occur in Australia.

Russian wheat aphid is adapted to semi-arid dryland climates where annual rainfall is usually less than 600 mm and therefore it is well suited to survive in Australian grain growing regions.

Topics covered by this Primefact include:

• Detection
• Identification