Aphids are likely to fly considerably later than normal this year, the Home-Grown Cereals Aauthority has reported. 

The shift is expected to be especially pronounced in the South of the country according to forecasting from Aphid News, an HGCA service led by Rothamsted Research.

It uses data from the suction trap network and long-term weather statistics to predict the start of aphid flights and aphid abundance in spring and early summer.

HGCA’s Dr Susannah Bolton said: “Average temperatures in January and February can be used to forecast the first aphid flights. As this winter was colder than the long-term average throughout the country it means that aphid flights are expected to occur much later this year.”

In the southern half of the country, where average temperatures were between 1oC and 2oC below normal, the first aphid flights are expected to be two to four weeks later than average.

In the North, average temperatures were less than 1oC below normal, suggesting a two week delay on the first aphid flights.

With spring plantings more common this year, growers should pay particular attention to late-drilled spring crops, which will tend to be at vulnerable growth stages for longer during the aphid flight.

Whatever the cropping situation, HGCA encourages growers and agronomists to sign up to its Aphid News service to keep up-to-date with regional aphid activity as well as information on virus transmission and potential resistance issues.