Over the last few weeks we received reports of sluggish mummified aphids in many alfalfa fields across central Arizona. After visiting and collecting samples it appears the aphids are infected with fungal disease that can eventually kill aphids in these fields. This phenomenon is not usual in the desert. Fungi depend on high moisture to grow and propagate. The last rains we received created a favorable conditions for the growing of this fungus and allowed its infection to alfalfa aphids. We are monitoring this phenomenon, which we believe can give some relieve from the alfalfa aphid problem we are dealing with the last few years. Click Here for photos of aphids infected with this fungus. Watch for similar aphids in your field, and if you have similar situation, please let us know.
