Soybean aphid populations in Manitoba have slowly been increasing over the past couple weeks, but Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers says it's nothing to panic about.

Production specialist, Kristen Podolsky says the aphids haven't reached their economic threshold yet, but producers need to be scouting until about mid-August. The number to be looking for is 250 aphids per plant on 80 per cent of plants -- but that doesn't mean producers should take action right away.

"If we're getting close to that threshold, we want to check every few days," says Podolsky. "If it's increasing then we would take action with an insecticide application. And the reason why it needs to be increasing is that aphids are regulated fairly well by natural enemies, things like ladybugs."

Producers should look for little pale green bugs, about 2 millimetres in size, that feed on developing pods, leaves, and stems.

Podolsky also says, with field pea harvest happening now and dry edible beans not far behind, it's time to for producers to start thinking about products for pre-harvest or desiccation.

The full bean report can be found here.