The warm autumn means aphid numbers are higher than they were this time last year and that wingless aphid generations may be present in emerging cereal crops. However, FAR Cereal Researcher Jo Drummond, says that doesn’t mean that growers should automatically reach for the insecticide.
“Typically, insecticide seed treatment will last until the start of tillering, so think carefully before applying a late autumn insecticide, as when aphid numbers are high, aphid predators and parasitoids are also likely to be about.”
Jo says the best way to find out whether you have an aphid problem is to directly search your crops, adding that looking on the undersides of leaves on a sunny afternoon is the best approach. She says growers can expect relatively high numbers of aphids until the end of May, with spring flights occurring late September or October.
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