Its Aphid News Service, provided in association with Rothamsted Research, uses data from a national suction trap network and long-term weather data to forecast the start of aphid flights and aphid abundance in spring and early summer.
The alerts can be used to rationalise the use of insecticides, time treatments better and reduce harm to beneficial insects.
HGCA’s Caroline Nicholls said: “Average temperatures in January and February can be used to forecast the first aphid flights.
“The temperature in January and February was considerably higher than the long-term average across the country – by 1°C to 1.5°C in the North and around 2°C in the South – and it is estimated the first aphid flights will be two to four weeks earlier than average.
“The forecasts show that the suction trap, located in the South West, could capture the first cereal aphids any day now,” she added.
The Rothamsted suction trap, located in Hertfordshire, has been capturing brassica aphids since its first year of operation 50 years ago in 1964. At this site, peach–potato aphid (Myzus persicae) is predicted to be captured on 15 April this year – the eighth earliest on record.
The forecast data reveals the potential progression of aphid flights across the UK and the suction trap located at Dundee is not predicted to catch the first peach–potato aphid until 1 June.
To view the data or subscribe to the weekly Aphid News service, visit www.hgca.com/pests