Russian Wheat Aphid By: Jeet Ganatra and Shawn Siamwalla General Information • • • • • Common name: Russian Wheat Aphid Scientific name: Diuriphus noxia Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Distribution • The Russian Wheat Aphid can be found all over the U.S. • In 1986, it was introduced to the U.S. by accident. • It is native to Eurasia Native area Can be found today Effects on People The Russian Wheat Aphid damages cereal crops Every year, an estimated 50 million dollars in damages is caused by this insect Causes us to have crop shortages Effects on Ecosystem • Many crops are destroyed • Losses of grains • Although this insect is a threat to grains, no other living organisms have been directly effected by it Sun Horses Wheat plant Humans Russian Wheat Aphid Cattle Parasitic Wasps Success! The Russian Wheat Aphid is so successful because: • It has few natural predators • Plenty of food to thrive on Habitat: • Grain fields Options: Purchase pesticides Purchase natural predators Tradeoffs: Pesticides can poison crops Thanks For Watching! Bibliography Sources: Invasivespeciesinfo.gov nps.gov