PestFacts WA

Aphid activity update

• Geraldton
• Northam
• Albany
• Beaumont
• Esperance

Turnip aphids. Photo courtesy of: Jean Galloway (DPIRD).

Monica Field (Farm and General) reports that a canola crop east of Beaumont at the 2-4 leaf stage had up to 20 turnip aphids per seedling. Seedlings with this density were found in patches but the turnip aphids were present throughout the paddock.

A sticky trap set up for aphid surveillance. Photo courtesy of: Ben Congdon (DPIRD).

Plant virologist Dr Benjamin Congdon (DPIRD) reports that surveillance sticky traps in the Esperance zone, that were set up from late April to late May, have caught very low numbers of green peach aphid (GPA) and turnip aphids in this zone. No Turnip yellows virus (TuYV) infection was detected on these aphids.

Almost no aphids have been found in surveillance sticky traps at Geraldton, Northam and Albany that were set up in late May.

Winged and non-winged green peach aphids on turnip yellows virus infected canola. Photo courtesy of: Benjamin Congdon (DPIRD).

Warmer weather after rainfall may promote dispersal of GPA. Late germination for many crops means crops are still at risk for GPA colonisation and TuYV infection. DPIRD’s surveillance will continue throughout the critical growth period. For more information on TuYV refer to DPIRD’s Managing turnips yellows virus in canola page.

Growers and consultants are reminded to identify any canola aphids found in the crop early. The PestFax Reporter app can be used to help with diagnosing aphids.

For insecticide information on managing aphids refer to DPIRD’s 2019 Winter Spring Insecticide Guide.

For more information on identifying and managing canola aphids see DPIRD’s;

• 2020 PestFax Issue 4 article Aphids are active
• Aphid management in canola crops page
• Diagnosing canola aphids page
• 2017 Protecting WA Crops Issue 3 newsletter Aphids – WA’s insect problem children
• Aphids in your crops YouTube video.

For more information on TuYV contact Dr Benjamin Congdon, Research scientist, South Perth on +61 (0)8 9368 3499.

For more information on canola aphids contact Svetlana Micic, Research scientist, Albany on +61 (0)8 9892 8591 or Alan Lord, Technical officer, South Perth on +61 (0)8 9368 3758.

Article author: Cindy Webster (DPIRD Narrogin). 

Article input: Dr Benjamin Congdon (DPIRD South Perth).