Aphid pests of brassica, cereals and potatoes are forecast to fly two to three weeks earlier than average this spring, according to the AHDB Aphid News service.

The long run of aphid data from the suction-trap network, managed by Rothamsted Research, combined with the long run of weather data available from the Met Office and others, make it possible for the start of aphid flights and aphid abundance in spring and early summer to be forecast.

The forecasts for 2016 are now available to download from the AHDB website:

The forecasts for cereals cover bird cherry–oat aphid, rose–grain aphid and grain aphid

The forecasts for brassica and potato cover peach–potato aphid, potato aphid and cabbage aphid

January and February temperatures critical

The mean temperature in January and February is critical in driving the results arising from the aphid forecasting service.

Confidence is greatest for aphid species which pass the winter in active stages, rather than as cold-hardy eggs, as they are able to take advantage of warm conditions.

Mark Taylor of Rothamsted Research, who compiles the AHDB forecasts, said: “Over the last 50 years, the mean January/February temperature has shown the strongest correlation with the timing and size of aphid migrations.

“To date, our experience shows that there is little impact from temperatures in November/December or March/April.”

Key findings from the 2016 forecasts

The temperature in January and February 2016 was higher than the long-term average throughout much of England – by around 1 to 1.5°C.

As a result, aphid flights are forecast to arrive two to three weeks earlier than average.

However, the temperatures in Scotland were much nearer to the long-term averages.

Uncharted territory

December 2015 saw recorded-breaking temperatures – with temperatures recorded at over 4°C above the long-term average.

It was the warmest December since 1934 and resulted in the highest monthly anomaly for any calendar month since 1910.

Mr Taylor said: “Along with the remarkable warmth, there were hardly any frosts and it was also very wet.

“All in all, the weather in December was extremely interesting and way outside anything experienced by the aphid forecasting team.

“We know that the extreme cold snap in December 2010 had little influence on the first flights in 2011 but we await with interest to see if the warm December in 2015 causes the first flights to deviate significantly from those forecast.”

The exceptionally mild weather resulted in two AHDB Aphid News bulletins being published over the winter months.

Not only was late flight activity recorded in suction traps but field reports of aphids multiplying and moving within many autumn-sown crops were also received by Rothamsted Research.

Sign up to Aphid News

The first aphids are forecast to be caught in suction traps later this month, with the Starcross suction trap – located in the South West – likely to be the first to record aphids.

After Easter, AHDB Aphid News bulletins will be issued each week so growers can keep abreast of the latest regional aphid developments.

To subscribe to the weekly Aphid News service, visit the Aphid News pages.

Growers asked to join the yellow water-pan trap network

In addition to the suction trap network, the FERA yellow water-pan trap (YWT) network helps provide field-level aphid monitoring information in potato crops.

AHDB Potatoes is calling for growers interested in having a trap in their field to visit the dedicated webpage aphmon.fera.defra.gov.uk.

Claire Hodge, AHDB Technical Executive, said: “We are always looking to refine the YWT network so that it can provide the best coverage across Great Britain.

“By signing up to our aphid monitoring service, you will receive information on the aphid species present in your area, helping you gauge the risk to your potato crop.”

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