- Author: Peter B Goodell
Published on: August 23, 2013
The spotted alfalfa aphid (Therioaphis maculate) is a small pale-yellow or grayish aphid with four to six rows of spined spots on its back. It was first detected in California alfalfa in1954 and, although it prefers warmer temperature regions, it quickly spread throughout the state within 2 years. The aphid injects a toxin which stunts and limits regrowth, substantially reducing yield. When it occurs at high population densities, copious of amounts honeydew are produced.
For a time, it was the most destructive pest in California alfalfa. It received a substantial amount of research and extension interest resulting in 9 California Agriculture articles between 1956 and 1963. These covered a wide range...
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