• Our Research
    • Research Strategy
    • Research Sites
    • Current Research Projects
    • Research Results
    • Research Collaborations
    • Research Resources
    • Seed Industry Research Centre
    Current Research
    Current Research
    Research Results
    Research Results
  • Resources
    • Biosecurity
    • Crop Action
    • Nutrient Management
    • Maize
    • Templates and Calculators
    • Cereals
    • Weeds
    • Pests
    • Seeds
    • Diseases
    • News
    • Environment
    • Soil
    • Schools
    Podcast
    Podcast
    Environment and Compliance
    Environment and Compliance
  • Levies & Returns
    • Arable Crops Levy
    • Maize Levy
    • Cereal Silage Levy
    • Farmer Annual Return Form
    • Wholesaler Annual Return Form
    Levies
    Levies
    Annual Returns
    Annual Returns
  • Events
  • News
  • About Us
    • Governance and growers
    • Business Strategy
    • Our People
    • Careers
    • Growers Leading Change
    • Women in Arable
    • Arable Ys
    • Arable Kids
    • Arable Research Groups (ARGs)
    • New Zealand Grown Grains
    Our People
    Our People
    Growers Leading Change
    Growers Leading Change
  • Ask FAR AI
  • Weather
  • Log In
Ask FAR AI
Weather
Log In
  • Homepage
  • Resources
  • Aphid Monitoring Update

Aphid monitoring update

D7k 1264

FAR has received several reports of heavy aphid infestations in cereal and ryegrass crops around the country. Although the risk of yield losses associated with aphid-vectored viruses is low now, direct feeding damage can still occur when numbers are very high.

Colonies of wingless aphids may be prospering; the good news is that beneficial predator and parasitoid numbers should also be high right now (depending on your choice of sprays). Keep an eye on what is going on in your crop, paying particular attention to the underside of leaves. 

The main beneficials to look out for are parasitic wasps, hoverflies and brown lacewings. Although it may be challenging to see parasitic wasps as they are only around 3mm long, it is easy to spot aphids that have been parasitised as their bodies swell up and turn a dull brown colour like in the image below. 

New Zealand data is so far limited to glasshouse studies, which appear to show no impact on yield from late (GS59) aphid infestations. Australian studies suggest that aphid direct feeding can lead to yield losses of up to 10% in extreme cases.

If you are not seeing any beneficials or any evidence of their activity, but are seeing significant infestations on 50% or more of inspected tillers, consider using a product that targets aphids specifically (such as those that contain the active ingredient pirimicarb, a Group 1A insecticide that is a good choice at this time of year) so that beneficial insect populations survive to control any further infestations.

Related Resources

09 October 2025

Cereals Update 235: Managing SDHIs for prolonged performance in autumn sown wheat

This Arable Update outlines practical strategies for using SDHIs effectively in the field while protecting their long-term efficacy.

Read more
09 October 2025

Cereals update 234: Managing Septoria: Latest results on SDHI performance

This Update outlines the latest results on how Zymoseptoria tritici (Zt), the fungus that causes Septoria tritici blotch (STB), is responding to succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI - Group 3) fungicides in New Zealand wheat crops.

Read more
09 October 2025

Cereals update 233: Managing triazoles for prolonged performance in autumn sown wheat

This Arable Update illustrates how alternating and mixing Modes of Actions and active ingredients can help sustain disease control, protect yield, and deliver financial returns.

Read more
09 October 2025

Cereals update 232: Managing Septoria: Latest results on triazole performance

This Update outlines the latest results on how Zymoseptoria tritici (Zt), the fungus that causes Septoria tritici blotch (STB), is responding to triazole fungicides in New Zealand wheat crops.

Read more
09 October 2025

Farm-saved seed royalty system

Farmers who save and replant legally protected cereal varieties can voluntarily declare their usage and pay a breeder royalty. The declaration system applies to all farm saved seed barley, and to farmer saved wheat if the resultant wheat crop does not pass through an end-point royalty collection agent. 

Read more
09 October 2025

Black-grass update

Growers are reminded to report any grass weeds that appear unfamiliar or could resemble black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides). Early reporting remains one of our strongest tools for protecting the industry.

Read more
09 October 2025

Extra 142 Nutrient management for autumn sown crops after a wet winter

Following a very wet winter, FAR has received a number of requests for information around managing yellow autumn sown crops. This Arable Extra outlines ways to distinguish between nitrogen and sulphur deficiencies and provides some information to support decision making around crop management.

Read more
09 October 2025

Extra 141 Options for replanting milling wheat (2025)

Wet conditions throughout winter 2025 have created challenges for growers across Canterbury. This Arable Extra addresses issues around 1) autumn sown wheat paddocks with drowned out patches and 2) considerations around sowing autumn milling wheat seed in the spring.

Read more
09 October 2025

Cereals update 231: Do T0 fungicides add financial value? Ten years of research says 'no'.

This Arable Update summarises yield and profitability results from 47 FAR trials since 2013, comparing programmes with and without a T0, to help guide your decision-making.

Read more
09 October 2025

AIMI New Zealand survey of cereals areas and volumes: 1 July 2025

The AIMI survey of New Zealand cereal growers, as at 1 July, 2024 is now available online.

Read more

Ask FAR AI

Ask FAR is a new way to get information from the FAR website. Just ‘Ask FAR’ a question and you’ll get a quick, accurate response based on FAR research and resources. Ask FAR also provides links to the original documents for more information. It’s quick, easy and reliable. Ask FAR now!

Start Chatting
  • Research
  • Levies and Returns
  • Resources
  • Events
  • News
  • Contact Us
  • Schools
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

©2022 Foundation for Arable Research