Aphids infesting potato crop in the highlands of Uzbekistan

A two-year survey was conducted to monitor aphids in potato fields in Pskem, Uzbekistan, to assess the relevance of the locality as a seed production site. Monitoring was done using two methods: yellow water traps and aphid-leaf count. Some differences were observed on aphid colonization and distribution. While winged aphids, especially Myzus persicae, reached critical levels only once in 2006, a peak of 17 wingless aphids per 100 potato leaves was observed in late August 2006. Based on a polynomial regression model applied on the monitoring of wingless aphids during 2005 and 2006, 71% of the variation observed in the aphid population was determined by the model and 29% by other factors. Five aphid species were more or less regularly trapped on potato crops during the two years. These were: Myzus persicae, Aphis fabae, Aulacorthum solani, Macrosiphum euphorbiae and Aphis gossypii.