Trap Catches June 20, 2025.
The number of vector aphid species remains low in the traps this week. With 8 traps reporting, we had 13 vector aphids captured. Several traps recovered Buckthorn aphid, with soybean aphids starting to appear in Central MN. No green peach aphids have been recovered so far.
So, as a reminder:
- vector flights have started, so start scouting; aphids can establish early after potatoes are up. Field scouting is less effective at finding aphd vector species that don't colonize potatoes. While these species will enter potato fields and probe plants, cannot survive on potatoes, consequently, they'll keep moving through the field, sampling more plants and potentially moving inoculum already in the field to uninfected plants. Watch predictive sites (like this one) and check University of Wisconsin's weather based Vegetable Disease & Insect Forecasting site (https://agweather.cals.wisc.edu/vdifn) which uses current weather data and historical populations as a predictor of aphid vector populations.
- the research literature reports that the use of crop oils is the most consistent post-planting technique in preventing transmission of PVY and it can be improved with the addition of the insecticide Lambda-Cyhalothrin.
- most of the research indicates that insecticides on their own are not effective enough at suppressing PVY transmission, but are still useful parts of your management program. Treating fields with one of the anti-feeding insecticides such as Sivanto Prime, Sefina or Transform to control colonizing aphids, such as green peach, potato, or cotton melon aphids, can be beneficial
- if using a border crop, it's a good idea to use treated seed to prevent the development of potential vector species in that border.
Lets hope the aphid populations stay low and we have a great season!
Click on any image below for full-scale version.
The average regional PVY Vector capture and PVY Vector Risk Index by week for 2025.
Cumulative PVY Vector Risk Index to 6/28/2024 for Comparison
