The UK Potato Council-funded network of 100 Yellow Water Traps (Aphmon) will go live in May.

The service has been updated and new thresholds can now be chosen to trigger alerts.

"Timing is of the essence for efficient aphid control," explains virus specialist Drummond Todd, who urges seed potato growers to sign up for this important service.

"Monitoring movement is an important element of control. Everyone who signs-up receives timely notice of which species are flying before significant crop emergence occurs. This means they can take the appropriate measures to protect their crops."

A good programme will not only control colonising aphids but also avoid selecting for insecticide resistance within aphid populations that may migrate to the area.

"Growers will have agreed spray programmes for the varieties they are growing with their agronomist or adviser," he says. "Once spray programmes have been triggered, it is important to stick to them.

"Current spraying programmes are most effective in controlling colonising aphids such as Myzus persicae, but when large numbers of non-colonising aphids arrive from surrounding cereal crops, a programme may be overwhelmed," adds Mr Todd. "As such, it is important to stress the need for early roguing, removing sources of virus before there is significant spread."

To sign-up for the alerts go to www.potato.org.uk/aphids or email Drummond on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it