Aphid numbers rose slightly into the new year, but are at a much lower level than the same time last year.
A count by Teagasc on January 2 – from an unsprayed winter barley field in Oakpark, Co. Carlow – showed 12 aphids/m². This compares with 32.6 aphids/m² in the same week last year.
Aphid numbers have kept relatively low since the end of October. In the fourth week of October 25.6 aphids/m² were counted.
As temperatures plummeted at the end of October and the beginning of November aphid numbers reflected this. The highest number of aphids reported from the same field in November was 14.7/m².
Source: Teagasc
Research from Teagasc shows that late application to previously unsprayed crops has been beneficial where aphids or BYDV is widespread.
Growers should also remember that resistance has built up to some pyrethroid products and growers should monitor their crops for control failure. If the treatment hasn’t worked then it should not be reapplied.