Pest Profile

The turnip aphid (Lipaphis erysimi) frequently colonizes fields during fall, survive mild winters, and increase to damaging levels in early spring. They feed on the underside of canola leaves and within flowering racemes. During and following mild winters, aphid populations become numerous enough to cause significant stand decline and reduce seed production. The consistent occurrence of fall aphid infestations, coupled with their potential to cause damage, clearly suggests that a seed treatment be recommended as an important preventive management tactic.