Warmer temperatures are encouraging aphids to fly, and an increase in aphid numbers is now being widely reported and recorded across the British Beet Research Organisation's (BBRO) yellow water pan network.
Myzus persicae听or peach-potato aphid, which is the most important vector of virus yellows are now being confirmed. Black bean and potato aphid are also present in crops, says BBRO.
Although regional differences are emerging, there are increasing reports of the wingless aphid threshold being reached.
Threshold
At this stage of the season, the threshold trigger for spraying is one green wingless aphid per four plants (three green wingless aphids per 12 plants) up to the 12-leaf stage, and with crops now entering the critical period, it is vital they are inspected closely and regularly, and only treated when the threshold is reached says BBRO.
With currently only a two-spray programme available, this means applications should be as timely as possible.
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