Distribution of Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Potato Growing Areas of Southwestern Australia

Abstract

Sticky traps, water traps and leaf samples were used to monitor aphid populations at 32 sites in southwestern Australia between October and May for four seasons between 1988-92. Twenty-seven sites were located in potato, Solanum tuberosum L., crops, with five others located in mixed vegetable crops or pastures. Sites were located in an area of approximately 90,000 km2, and encompassed most of the potato growing areas of the region. Thirty-four species of aphids were detected. Potato-colonising aphids found were Myzus persicae, Aulacorthum solani, Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Aphis craccivora. M. persicae was the most widespread, and its seasonal distribution in southwestern Australia is presented. Fewer M. persicae were recorded and it arrived later in the season for 2 of 3 years at southern sites than northern sites. At sites where both sticky traps and leaf sampling were used, leaf sampling often detected M. persicae before they were found on traps. Results suggest that potato crops grown on the southern coast will be least vulnerable to infection by aphid-borne viruses.