Willow–carrot aphid at Wellesbourne

The suction trap at Wellesbourne caught the first winged willow-carrot aphid of 2015 (see below) - somewhat earlier than the average date and also earlier than expected from the day-degree forecast. Further investigation revealed that our overwintered carrots (retained to maintain the carrot fly population) are heavily infested with aphids which must have overwintered on the crop rather than as eggs on willow. This infestation may have been the source of the early winged aphid! The image shows lots of cast aphid 'skins' - which are more visible than the aphids.

The presence of the aphids has also 'attracted' quite a large number of hungry ladybirds.

Rosemary Collier : 25 Apr 2015 06:44 |  Comments (0) |  Report a problem