Integrating population ecology and aeroecology is important for understanding dispersal
dynamics of pest insects that depend on aerial habitats. Sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis
sacchari) is an economic pest of sorghum in Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America and
recently invaded North America, affecting over 90% of the continent's sorghum production.
Long-distance, wind-aided dispersal together with the ability to overwinter in the
southernmost sorghum-producing areas appear responsible for their geographic spread in …