Trap Catches to July 10, 2026.
More traps are starting to respond this week. We've had some technical difficulties, but we're sorting that out as we go. Apologies for this report being late, I've been out sick since last Thursday but am slowly on the mend.
The average number of vectors per trap doubled over last week (1.14/trap this week and ~0.5/trap last week) so the vector counts remain low. We are behind last year's populations at this date but we also have fewer traps responding so far. We'll get a better picture as more traps come online.
As far as species are concerned, English Grain and Soybean aphids were the most numerous species recovered. The average number of non-vector species also rose over the previous week. So we are staring to see the aphid populations build, pretty much on schedule...
The usual reminders:
- 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, they 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. Consult risk assesment sites (like this one) and check weather-based predicitve models like University of Wisconsin's Vegetable Disease & Insect Forecasting site (https://agweather.cals.wisc.edu/vdifn).
- 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.
Happy 4th and have a great upcoming week.
Click on any image below for full-scale version.
Cumulative PVY Risk Index by Site to 7/10/2026
For Comparison, Cumulative PVY Risk Index by Site to 7/11/2025 
Aphid Species Capture and PVY Vector Risk Index for the week ending 7/10/2026
Cumulative Aphid Species Capture and PVY Vector Risk Index to 7/10/2026
