There have been some limited reports of winged aphids in small grains in the region. This is not unusual for this time of year. The aphids we get in small grains cannot overwinter in the region, rather populations need to be re-established annually from locations to the south. And there appear to be significant source populations in those state this season; in Nebraska, Barley Yellow Dwarf is reported as being wide spread throughout the south-central and southeastern parts of the state and in Kansas Bird Cherry-Oat aphids were prevalent throughout the eastern 2/3 of the state but seem to be decreasing now. We have also had at least two wind events that could have moved cereal aphids into the region. It’s important to note this doesn’t mean we have aphids, just that scouting is recommended. Appropriate treatment timing for aphids is around flag leaf, earlier than that and there is still a good potential for re-infestation, later than that and there is a decreasing chance for economic return. Thresholds for aphids in the northern great plains are when approximately 80% of stems have aphids present. This threshold is designed to prevent yield loss from aphid feeding, it does not incorporate losses from BYDV.