Virus pressure from aphids has increased in recent years due to milder winters which has seen aphids taking flight earlier and a reduction in approved and effective insecticides available for use in seed crops.  

Forty-five growers have been signed up to the Albert Bartlett-funded monitoring process for the 2024 seed potato growing season, each returning up to ten sampling traps, for analysis throughout the season. Aphid types will be identified, counted, and reported weekly by Fera, along with the virus transmission risk.

Will Jackson of Albert Bartlett said: "Understanding the presence of the aphid species present is fundamental to determining the risk of virus transmission, allowing seed growers to target the use of the limited number of insecticides available."

Growers can access their aphid results, and those of others taking part in the scheme, via weekly updates on the scheme's website. Fera also provides a variety of text and email alerts which growers can choose to sign up to.

"Investing in the aphid monitoring scheme in 2024 will help safeguard the health status of the potato seed supplied to ware growers across the UK in 2025," added Mr Jackson.

Aphids are small sap-sucking insects whose common names include greenfly and blackfly. Aphids are among the most destructive insect pests on cultivated plants in temperate regions. As well as weakening plants by sucking sap, they also provide transmission for the growth of plant viruses. Females breed profusely so that the number of these insects multiplies quickly - while winged females often develop later in the season, allowing colonisation of new plants. Because of their ability to increase their numbers quickly they are highly successful insects from an ecological point of view.

Control of aphids is difficult – in part because aphids often feed on the undersides of leaves. Natural enemies include predatory ladybirds, hoverfly larvae, and parasitic wasps.