First report of field populations of two potential aphid pests of the bioenergy crop miscanthus × giganteus

Abstract

Miscanthus × giganteus Greef and Deuter ex Hodkinson and Renvoize is being evaluated as a cellulosic feedstock for energy production in the United States. This is the first field report of Sipha flava (Forbes) and Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) (Hemiptera: Homoptera: Aphididae) on M. × giganteus and the first report of these aphids on Miscanthus in the Western Hemisphere. A qualitative survey of managed M. × giganteus stands revealed S. flava or R. maidis populations at 7 sample locations in 4 states. The large populations of S. flava observed on young stands of M. × giganteus suggests their potential for economic importance.