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An estimate of the likelihood that aphids will transmit non-persistent potato viruses (e.g. PVY) in the field can be made using the data collected by the aphid suction traps. This estimate, the aphid vector pressure, is calculated by summing the total catch of each aphid species, after multiplication by a factor estimating the efficiency of that species as a vector of PVY. The vector pressure is a very coarse measure of the likelihood of virus transmission. Numerous factors will influence virus transmission, including complex interactions between aphid species and the strain of virus they transmit.
In most years, the aphid vector pressure in Scotland is largely dependent upon the activity of cereal aphids, although peach-potato aphids and potato aphids may also be important.
2025
Due to the relatively warm 2024-25 winter and the period of very warm weather over April and May 2025, most aphid flights were 2-3 weeks earlier than predicted, with the peach-potato aphid (Myzus persicae) flying 6 weeks early.
The total number of aphids known to vector potato viruses caught in the Edinburgh and Dundee traps up to 28 August is 4926 - ranking 5th out of the last 10 years - 58% at Edinburgh and 42% at Dundee.
This total of 4926 includes: 2432 Bird-Cherry Oat aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi), 666 Rose-Grain aphids (Metopolophium dirhodum), and 357 Peach-Potato aphids (Myzus persicae), making up 49%, 14% and 7% of the total respectively.
There was one (1) peach-potato aphid (Myzus persicae) caught in Dundee this week.
Edinburgh 2025
The cumulative aphid vector pressure at Edinburgh up to 24 August ranks 22nd over the last 38 years.
The Bird Cherry-Oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) is responsible for 35% of the accumulated pressure, the Peach-Potato aphid (Myzus persicae) for 15%, and the Rose-Grain aphid (Metopolophium dirhodum) for 9%.
Dundee 2025
The cumulative aphid vector pressure at Dundee up to 24 August ranks 29th over the last 38 years.
The Bird Cherry-Oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) is responsible for 46% of the accumulated pressure, the Peach-Potato aphid (Myzus persicae) for 23%, and the Rose-Grain aphid (Metopolophium dirhodum) for 12%.
SASA