Below is a rerun of an article from last year, but the recommendation has not changed. However, there may be less benefit this year compared with previous years given the relatively late start to the wheat crop and the cold winter.  This may have limited fall and early winter colonization of aphids in wheat.

The next 4-5 weeks is the time to consider making a foliar application for aphids in wheat. The potential value of managing aphids to prevent the spread of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) was discussed in a previous article. A late-winter, foliar insecticide application, at least on wheat not having an insecticide seed treatment, has shown a consistent yield benefit in testing over the last 5 years (figure below).

The timing of this application is not especially critical, BUT it must be made before aphids have become well established in the field. Otherwise, you’ve missed the opportunity to prevent the transmission of BYDV. You are likely too late if aphid populations already exceed 6-8 aphids per foot of row.