The soybean aphid continued to be a dominant insect concern in eastern Iowa during the second week of August. George Cummins, extension crops specialist, has found aphids in Blackhawk, Grundy, Howard, and Tama counties. Mark Carlton, extension crops specialist, confirmed soybean aphid in southeastern Iowa in Mahaska, Monroe, and Wapello counties. He notes that populations have not reached the "severe" level but many fields do have populations of the insect. Jim Fawcett, extension crops specialist, has found fields with fairly high populations (500-1000 aphids per plant) in Linn, Johnson, Iowa, and Benton counties in east central Iowa. Some fields have been sprayed in Linn County.