The almost microscopic and nearly transparent yellow-green soybean aphid is the focus of several universities including Perdue, University of Wisconsin, MSU, the University of Minnesota, Iowa State University, University of Illinois, the Illinois Natural History Survey and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The reason for all this attention is because scientists are ready to sort through the list of predators to find the most safe and effective biological control. Aphids are responsible for six to eight bushels per acre on an average crop yield. Scientists plan to introduce several predators to find one that will control the aphids and not harm other plants, ecologically important insects and becoming a problem in any other area.

Scientists have already discovered nine species that kill soybean aphids and are returning to the pests' native home including China, Japan and Korea.

Soybean aphids were first discovered in the United States in 2000 and have some known native and non-native predators including the Asian Lady Beetle. Unfortunately, the Asian Lady Beetle is considered a pest in homes throughout the Midwest and other parts of the U.S.

Scientists fear introducing new species of predators that will have a negative impact on other insects and plants. Due to known facts about the Asian Lady Beetles, preliminary tests were conducted within cages along with additional laboratory testing to help understand their impact.

Scientists quarantined the nine species of predators at the University of Minnesota and the USDA Agricultural Research Service lab in Newark, Del.

The use of biological control is more effective than spraying aphids with pesticides. In Asia, pesticide use on aphids is limited because their natural predators are the most effective form of control.

Using biological control not only control aphids better, but it also saves thousands of dollars over the cost of pesticides. It also means less chemical on crops and the environment.

Most of the predators being studied are parasites that lay their eggs inside the aphids. The egg then hatches into little maggot-like larva, which eventually pupates and turn the living aphid into a mummy. A new adult parasite will emerge from the pupa/mummy.