Soybean growers throughout the county and the state have been dealing with invaders more and more in recent years.

The invader? The Chinese Aphid, an insect that has taken a toll on soybean crops by pulling moisture out of plants and leaving them useless.

Tim Peterson, an Alden farmer, sprayed last Thursday after he saw his soybean crop covered in little white dots, which were actually the aphids.

&uot;I couldn’t stand by and see my crops get eaten up by these pesky varmints,&uot; Peterson said, saying that &uot;pesky varmints&uot; was about all you could call them.

For southern Minnesota farmers, the aphids are becoming more of a problem. It’s made worse because what is known about the insect isn’t enough to fight them off.

According to Brian Jacobs, the regional manager for Northern Country Co-op and certified crop adviser, the research on the insect hasn’t found much good data yet.

&uot;There’s too many ‘if’s’ involved,&uot; he said. The habits of the insects are constantly changing, and no direct pattern has been found between climate and the bug. This year they were rampant, last year they weren’t, the year before, they were rampant.

&uot;They are so prolific,&uot; he said. &uot;So much so that their young are born pregnant. Their adaptability to change is amazing and it makes it hard to get good research on them.&uot;

Jacobs said that the insects will grow wings and fly to the next crop if the area gets too overcrowded.

Jacobs has seen some farmers that have bugs on their crops go without spraying and come out fine, while others have done the same and seen their crops killed off.

The aphids cling under leaves, stems and, most often, to the bean pods.

For Steve Peterson, Tim’s brother, who owns another farm in the Alden area, spraying was just about the only choice. He’s been told damage by the insect can take out anywhere from 15 to 50 percent of a farmer’s yield.

He was surprised by the insect’s multiplication on his plants.

&uot;In a matter of three days I saw the population go from 300 per plant to 1,000 per plant,&uot; he said. &uot;The whole plant was absolutely covered with them.&uot;

He sprayed last week for the insect. He hopes it will keep them off his crop.

Usually, in August, the aphid population dies off, but Jacobs said that even that looks as though it can vary.

State Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson announced Wednesday that applicator licensing will be sped up in response to the aphid invasion.

Farmers like Tim Peterson have already spent their money on insecticides. He hopes that it will have to be the last time for the year.

&uot;It’s almost your worst nightmare,&uot; he said.

Tim used pesticides to kill off the bug, costing him $10 an acre on his 350-acre farm.

&uot;That’s just another $10 per acre off my yield,&uot; he said.

Tim said he would rather not use pesticides, but that in keeping competitive, it’s nearly necessary. He said the increase in the pest leaves him with little choice.

&uot;It’s something we’re going to have to deal with,&uot; he said.

For more information on combating aphids, go to www.soybeans.umn.edu.

(Contact Peter Cox at peter.cox @albertleatribune.com or 379-3439.)