The numbers of early aphids in AHDB suction-trap samples have not significantly increased during Bulletin Week 3: 14/4-20/4, but the spread across the Country is widening.

• Four grain aphids (Sitobion avenae), two bird cherry–oat aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi) and one rose–grain aphid (Metopolophium dirhodum) were caught this week.

• Four peach–potato aphids were caught this week (Preston, Broom’s Barn, Writtle and Wye). The first arrival at Preston was six weeks earlier and at Writtle two weeks earlier than the 10-year mean.

• Two potato aphids (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) were caught, including a first arrival at Hereford, three weeks earlier than the 10-year mean.

• This year’s first pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) was caught at Wye, a month earlier than the 10-year mean.

• No cabbage aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae), or willow carrot aphids (Cavariella aegopodii) were caught this week.