Fox, T. B. 2002. Biological control of soybean (Aphis glycines Matsumura) aphid in Michigan. MS Thesis, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.

Aphis glycines Matsumura is an invasive pest of soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merrill] first discovered in the United States in 2000. The impact of predation on A. glycines establishment and population increase was studied in Ingham County, Michigan during 2001-2002. Direct observation and pitfall traps were utilized to determine the species composition and abundance of potential predators in soybean fields. Laboratory feeding assays showed that most of the common foliar-foraging and ground-dwelling predators present in soybean fields were capable of consuming A. glycines . The impact of predation on A. glycines establishment in the field was examined using clip cages. Predation significantly reduced A. glycines 24 h survival in four out of six trials over both years. In a field study during July-August in 2001-2002, 1 m 2 predator exclusion or sham cages were used to assess predation impacts on established A. glycines populations. Cages were initially infested with A. glycines adults and sampled for approximately four weeks. The 2001 trial was inconclusive, however, in 2002 foliar-foraging predators prevented population growth in sham cages and dramatically reduced A. glycines populations where exclusion cages were opened after two weeks. These studies demonstrate that predator communities can significantly impact A. glycines establishment and population density in soybean and should be further investigated as a potential means of managing A. glycines populations in United States soybean production systems.

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