Aphid infestations and biocontrol in cereal crops in Scotland: effects of winter cropping across three regions

Abstract: A study was conducted to determine whether i) winter cereals can ‘escape’ aphid pest infestations due to more advanced crop maturity and ii) whether insect pests on winter cereals can escape biocontrol compared to spring cereals. Summer dynamics of aphids and their natural enemies were investigated in spring and winter cereals at six farm sites across three geographic regions in eastern Scotland. Variation in aphid and natural enemy abundance was assessed in relation to crop type and farm location.