The sugarcane aphid (SCA) was spotted in Kentucky last week in Fayette and Monroe Counties on sweet sorghum. This invasive pest can cause up to 100% crop loss if left untreated on grain, forage, and sweet sorghum.

Although the sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari) was not a serious problem in Texas, Kansas, or other states in 2017; its occurrence in Kentucky appears to be problematic due to the high numbers being observed in sweet and forage sorghum in Fayette, Logan, Lyon, and Caldwell counties during the last part of July and August in 2017. 

Kentucky farmers may apply Sivanto Prime under a Section 18 Emergency Exemption to control the sugarcane aphid in sweet sorghum, Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles has announced.