aphids

Several crop pests, including aphids, cabbage stem flea beetle and a less common pest, the lucerne flea, are making the most of the warm weather

With aphid activity increasing and many sugar beet crops behind because of delayed drilling, the British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) is advising growers to monitor crops and review aphicide options.

Delays to sugar beet planting could increase the risk of virus yellows infection at early crop growth stages, where emergence coincides with warmer weather and greater aphid pest activity.