Aphid Monitoring 2010


 

Aphid trapping has commenced for the 2010 season.

Have you signed up?

You can sign up to be alerted to the first Myzus persicae found in a region or regions, and also when the index value in a region exceeds a given threshold (you have a choice of two thresholds).  You can select the locations of traps you want to monitor by choosing from upto 8 regions. (Note that the Myzus persicae alert will only be sent once per region per season, and that the 'high index value' alert will only be sent once per region per week and will occur when the first trap in a particular region has exceeded the chosen value.)

Enter the site and look for the 'Alert sign-up' link (where you can also amend your settings).

Previous surveys have shown that PVY is the principal virus disease of potatoes, with estimated annual losses reaching as much as £18 million in epidemic years. The recent increase of seed production in virus-prone lowland areas, and a consequent increase in aphicide usage, has highlighted the need for effective targeting of aphicides.

How it works

When you launch the Aphid Monitoring tool you will be taken to a website designed and hosted by the Food and Environment Research Agency (formerly CSL), near York.  Fera collates the data from 100 Potato Council levy funded traps throughout Britain.

What's available:

  • Up to date data from all Potato Council funded traps
  • GB and regional maps showing locations of all Potato Council funded traps
  • Information on how the system works and how to use the results
  • Historical data and past season reports
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Further information on commercial traps and networks
  • SMS and email alerts

The information on the aphid monitoring pages has been drawn together to aid decision making on whether or not to spray, and thereby help seed growers to improve the sustainability and competitiveness of production in these areas.