Posted: Jul 19, 2014 12:06 PM
Updated: Jul 19, 2014 12:06 PM
Source: Associated Press
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Scientists at the LSU AgCenter say aphids that have plagued Louisiana sugarcane fields have spread to the state's sorghum crop.
Entomologist David Kerns says the pests first showed up in cane fields in 1991 and are now causing significant damage in sorghum fields.
Kerns says the aphids were found in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Mississippi last year. They have since spread across much of Mississippi and into Arkansas.
Aphids produce a sticky dew that collects on sorghum and clogs combine harvesters and could mean a reduction in yields. The sorghum harvest in Louisiana begins in late July and runs through September.