Climate Change Causes Aphid Population Boom

Aphid populations are exploding because of warmer winters, according to scientists from Rothamsted Research. The scientists have been monitoring the flying form of all aphid species in the United Kingdom for 42 years. This year, the first aphid was caught almost four weeks ahead of the 42-year average. The peach-potato aphid (Myzus persicae), one of UK’s most damaging aphids, has been found to be flying two weeks earlier for every 1°C rise in the average temperature.

Richard Harrington and his colleagues at Rothamsted Insect Survey said that one of the most noticeable consequences of climate change in the UK is the frequency of mild winters. As a result, aphids seeking new sources of food are appearing significantly earlier in the year and in significantly higher numbers. This is bad news for farmers, since crops are particularly more vulnerable to damage in spring and early summer.

For more information, visit http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/media/releases/2008/080806_aphids_climate_change.html