Project Updates

2024 Season

This week, we collected all of the aphid traps from this year's winter and spring peas. No aphid was observed on any aphid traps this week. 

This year, overall, most of the sites were aphid-free and the peas seem to be doing very well across the Palouse. Congratulations! Our best wishes to all pea producers for the great harvest. Please check our updates on aphids and viruses next year.

This week, except for one pea aphid from site-7 (Genesee, ID) and 23 aphids from site-15 (winter peas; Green Loop Rd, Genesee, ID), we didn't observe any pea aphids in pan traps on winter or spring pea sites. The peas are drying out so we plan to collect the traps next week.

This week in winter peas, we collected one pea aphid from site-4 (Evergreen Rd, Garfield), five from site-5 (Ingram Rd, St. John, WA), one from site-11  (Garfield-Farmington Rd, WA), and 21 from site-15 (Green Loop Rd, Genesee, ID) were collected, but no aphid was observed in pan traps on other winter or spring pea sites. 

Other pests in sweep net samples:

Last week, we did sweep net sampling (50 sweeps per site) on all the winter and spring pea sites. Pea weevil (Bruschus pisorum) were less abundant than the last sampling (see the blog below on June 21, 2024), but were collected from almost all sites. We collected 3 pea weevils (3% of total insect abundance per 50 sweeps) from site-2, 0 from sie-3 , 11 (73% of total insect abundance) from site-4, 9 (12% of total insect abundance) from site-5, 14 (47% of total insect abundance) from site-6, 6 (20% of total insect abundance) from site-7, 23 (4% of total insect abundance) from site-8, 2 (33% of total insect abundance) from site-9, 3 (8% of total insect abundance) from site-10, 8 (21% of total insect abundance) from site-11, 19 (37% of total insect abundance) from site-12, 0 from site-13, 9 (<1% of total insect abundance) from site-14,  and 2 (<1% of total insect abundance)  pea lea weevil from site-15.

Like in apid traps, pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) were mostly rare in sweep samples too, except for a few sites. We collected 1 pea aphid from site-2 (1% of total insect abundance per 50 sweeps) , 461from site-8 (87% of total insect abundance), 4818 from site-14 (99% of total insect abundance), and 538 (55% of total insect abundance) from site-15, but no aphids from other sites. However, there were no pea leaf weevils (Sitona lineatus) in any of the sites. 

Other minor pests (e.g., plant bugs, hoppers, thrips, etc.) and beneficial insects (e.g., wasps, bees, flies, lady beetles, green lacewings, damsel bugs, etc ) were also present but they were mostly rare across sites.

This week in winter peas, one pea aphid from site-3 (Spillman farm, WA), one from site-4 (Evergreen Rd, Garfield), one from site-14 (Neyens Rd, Genesee), and six from site-15 (Green Loop Rd, Genesee, ID) were collected. Similarly, in spring-planted crops, three pea aphids from site-9 (Spillman farm, WA) and three from site-13 (UI arboretum, Moscow) were collected, but no aphid was observed in pan traps on other winter or spring pea sites. We have collected sweep samples (50/field) from all 15 pea sites this week and the results will be posted here early next week.

Virus test results: the aphid collected from site-4 (Evergreen Rd, Garfield) tested positive for PEMV (Pea Enation Mosaic Virus), but tested negative for BLRV (Bean Leaf Roll Virus). Similarly, the aphids (only 50% : 3 of 6 aphids) collected from site-15 (Green Loop Rd, Genesee, ID) tested positive for BLRV but negative for PEMV. However, the aphids collected from other sites were tested negative for PEMV or BLRV.

This week also pea aphids were very rare in our pan traps. In winter peas, two pea aphids from site-1 (Parker farm, Moscow), one from site-3 (Spillman farm, WA), and seven pea aphids (mostly wingless fallen from the adjacent pea canopies) from site-15 (Green Loop Rd, Genesee, ID) were collected. Also, two pea aphids were collected from a spring-planted crop field (Site-13/UI arboretum, Moscow), but no aphid was observed in pan traps from any of the other winter or spring pea sites.

Virus test results: the aphid collected from site-3 (winter peas; Spillman farm, WA) tested positive for PEMV (Pea Enation Mosaic Virus), but tested negative for BLRV (Bean Leaf Roll Virus). However, the aphids collected from other sites were tested negative for PEMV or BLRV.

Other pests in sweep net samples:

Last week, we did sweep net sampling (50 sweeps per each site) on all the winter and spring pea sites. Pea weevil (Bruschus pisorum) was the most abundant insect pest overall, collected from 12 of 15 sites. We collected 11 pea weevils (39% of total insect abundance per 50 sweeps) from site-1, 0 from sie-2 , 11 (46% of total insect abundance) from site-3, 95 (86% of total insect abundance) from site-4, 13 (48% of total insect abundance) from site-5, 91 (32% of total insect abundance) from site-6, 7 (30% of total insect abundance) from site-7, 49 (43% of total insect abundance) from site-8, 119 (69% of total insect abundance) from site-9, 49 (88% of total insect abundance) from site-10, 50 (69% of total insect abundance) from site-11, 111 (85% of total insect abundance) from site-12, 0 from site-13, 7 (4% of total insect abundance) from site-14, and 0 pea lea weevil from site-15.

 Like in apid traps, pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) were mostly rare in sweep samples too. We collected 1 pea aphid from site-1, 3 from site-6, 2 from site-7, 7 from site-8, 2 from site-13, 4 from site-14, and 2 from site-15, but no aphids from other sites. 

Similarly, pea leaf weevils (Sitona lineatus) were significantly less abundant this year compared to last year. Only one site (site-6) had 3 pea leaf weevils present, but all the other sites had 0 pea leaf weevils in the sweep samples. 

Other minor pests (e.g., plant bugs, hoppers, thrips, etc.) and beneficial insects (e.g., wasps, bees, flies, lady beetles, green lacewings, damsel bugs, etc ) were also present but they were mostly rare across sites.

This week in winter peas, one pea aphid from site-5 (St. John, WA) and two from site-15 (Green Loop Rd, Genesee, ID) were collected, but no aphid was observed in pan traps on other winter or spring pea sites. We have collected sweep samples (50/field) from all 15 pea sites and the results will be posted here early next week.

Virus test results: the aphids collected from both sites tested negative for BLRV (Bean Leaf Roll Virus) and PEMV (Pea Enation Mosaic Virus)

This week, one pea aphid from site 3 (Spillman Farm, WA) was collected in winter peas, but no aphid was observed in pan traps on other winter or spring pea sites. Next week, we will start collecting sweep samples from peas to assess other insect pests, such as pea weevils.

Virus test results: the single aphid collected from site 3 tested positive for BLRV (Bean Leaf Roll Virus), but negative for PEMV (Pea Enation Mosaic Virus)Due to the very low pea aphid infestation detected by our pan traps, no action is needed from the producers for virus or aphid management.

This week, the Palouse weather was relatively cool and rainy. We did not collect any pea aphids from the winter or spring pea traps. In the coming weeks, we will start collecting sweep samples from peas to assess other insect pests, such as pea weevils. 

This week, the Palouse weather was cool and windy. Except for the one pea aphid from site-7 (Genesee, ID), we did not collect any pea aphids from winter or spring pea pan traps. We have collected pea plant samples for virus testing. Including spring pea sites, now, we have a total of 15 sites for this year. 

Virus test on aphids: the aphid collected from site-7 tested negative for BLRV (Bean Leaf Roll Virus) and PEMV (Pea Enation Mosaic Virus)

Virus tests on pea plants:

We also collected pea plant samples (n =15 plants/site: 5 plants from each of 3 transects per site) from each of the winter and spring pea locations for virus detection. No plants from any of the sites was tested positive for both PEMV (Pea Enation Mosaic Virus) and BLRV (Bean Leaf Roll Virus). Plants from site-11 (winter peas: Garfield-Farmington Rd, WA) were tested positive only for PEMV. Plants from site-9 (winter peas: Spillman farm, Pullman, WA) and site-13 (spring crop/chickpeas: UI Arboretum farm, Moscow) tested positive only for BLRV. Pea plants from other winter or spring pea sites tested negative for PEMV or BLRV

This week in winter peas, one pea aphid from site 3 (Spillman Farm, WA) was collected, but no aphid was observed in pan traps on other winter pea sites. Keep your eyes on the aphids!

This week in winter peas, two pea aphids from site 7 (Genesee, ID) were collected, but no aphid was observed in pan traps on other winter pea sites. More pea locations (including spring peas) are coming soon.

This week we did not observe any pea aphids in the pan traps deployed in winter pea fields. We have added more winter pea sites this week (a total of 7 sites now). We will soon be adding spring pea locations too.

This week, we began deploying pea aphid pan traps in winter peas for the 2024 season of pea aphid and legume virus monitoring.  We will add more winter/spring pea fields in the coming days/weeks. Tune in for the weekly updates on pea aphid abundance and virus incidence. We also plan to occasionally monitor other insect pests (e.g., pea leaf weevil). 

We want to thank all the cooperating legume growers in the Palouse region and various other stakeholders for providing pea locations and supporting the Legume Virus Project. Last year was a 100% aphid-free season (at least in our pan traps) and we hope this growing season goes well too!

2023 Season

This week marked the end of the 2023 field season for the Legume Virus Project, and as a result, all the aphid pan traps were removed from the spring pea fields (traps were collected from winter peas last week). Additionally, no aphids were collected from any of the remaining spring pea sites this week.

Other pests in sweep net samples:

For the third time this season, we did sweep net sampling on the remaining spring peas this week. No pea weevils were collected, but the adult pea leaf weevils started to show up. We collected 13 pea leaf weevils (93% of total insect abundance per 50 sweeps) from site-12, six (13% of total insect abundance) from site-14, and two (67% of total insect abundance) from site-15. Other sites had no pea leaf weevils. Although we had not found a single pea aphid  (winged) in our apid traps, we collected six pea aphids (wingless) in sweep samples from site #14 (Rimrock Rd, Colton, WA), though none from other sites. Other minor pests (e.g., stink bugs, hoppers) and beneficial insects (wasps, lady beetles) were also present but they were mostly rare across sites.

Finally:

Congratulations to all the growers in the region for achieving a virtually aphid-free year! This is the first time in the history of Legume Virus Project's pea aphid and virus monitoring since 2007 that we have not collected any pea aphids from the traps. We experienced variations in weather throughout the year, with a cold and rainy start followed by hot weather in the summer. These weather patterns can vary from year to year. It's important to note that the absence of pea aphids in a given year does not guarantee their permanent disappearance, so please remain vigilant in the coming years. We will continue monitoring them next year and provide updates on aphids and viruses. Best of luck with your harvest

This week, we didn't collect a single aphid in aphid traps from any winter or spring pea sites. Since most of the winter peas are drying out and we did not observe any aphids this season in the aphid traps, we collected the traps from the fields this week. We collected a few pea aphids in sweep net samples from two spring pea sites last week. So, aphid traps in spring pea fields are still out for a couple of more weeks.

This week also, we didn't collect any pea aphids in aphid traps from any winter or spring pea sites. Winter pea pods are getting matured, and we will collect the aphid traps soon.

Other pests in sweep net samples:

For the second time this season, we also did sweep net sampling on all of the winter and spring peas this week (50 sweeps/site) to assess any insect pests in peas. Pea weevils were less abundant this week in sweep samples compared to the previous sampling. We collected 64 pea weevils (60% of total insect abundance per 50 sweeps) from site-7, one (10% of total insect abundance) from site-8, 19 (76% of total insect abundance) from site-10, 41 (95% of total insect abundance) from site-12, and one (38% of total insect abundance) from site-13. Other sites had no pea weevils.

Although we had not found a single pea aphid  (winged) in our apid traps, we collected 11 pea aphids (wingless; mostly nymphs) in sweep samples from site #14 (Rimrock Rd, Colton, WA) and one from site #13 (Colton, WA) but no aphids from other sites. This was the first time we collected pea aphids this season. Other minor pests and beneficial insects were also present but were rare across sites.

This season has been aphid-free so far! This week, NO pea aphid was detected at any of the aphid traps in winter or spring pea sites. This week's weather in our region was cold to mild (highs in the 50s/60s/70s and lows in the 40s). It is predicted to warm up next week. We have added one more spring pea site (site-15: HWY 95, Genesee, ID). We also collected plant samples for virus testing and performed sweep sampling for insect pests at this site. We found 23 pea weevils (87% of total insect abundance per 50 sweeps) from site-15 and will post virus test results next week.

This week also, no pea aphid was detected at any of the aphid traps in winter or spring pea sites. This week's weather in our region was still mild (highs in the 70s), and it is predicted to cool down further early next week (highs in the high 50s/low 60s!). 

Virus tests on pea plants:

We collected pea plant samples (n =15 plants/site: 5 plants from each of 3 transects per site) from the winter pea locations for virus tests when the aphid trapping season began. About 60% of plants collected from site-2 (Garfield, ID),100% of the plants collected from site-3 (St. John, WA), and 85% of plants collected from site-5 (Parker Farm, ID) tested positive for PEMV (Pea Enation Mosaic Virus), whereas all of those same plants tested negative for BLRV (Bean Leaf Roll Virus). Since we have not collected any pea aphids so far, the positive virus test result on winter pea plants indicates that those plants might have been infected with the virus in the Fall, and with the absence of pea aphids in the season so far, there is no chance of these viruses being transmitted to spring peas. Hence, no action is needed from the producers for virus or aphid management. This week, we collected pea plant samples from winter and spring peas for virus tests. We will update the results soon.  

This week also the Palouse region experienced mild weather. Still, no aphid was collected from any of the winter pea or spring pea sites. Good news!

Other pests in sweep net samples:

This week and last week, we sampled each of the winter and spring pea fields by using sweep nets (50 sweeps/site) to assess any insect pests in peas. 

Unlike previous years (particularly last year), this year we did not collect any pea aphids in sweep samples, which is consistent with the pan-trap data. However, we collected significantly more pea weevils from most of the sites and a few pea leaf weevils from two sites.

We collected 136 pea weevils (96% of the total insect abundance per 50 sweeps) from site-2, 59 (95% of total insect abundance) from site-3, 11 (85% of total insect abundance) from site-4, 25 (100% of total insect abundance) from site-5, 115 (58% of total insect abundance) from site-7, 453 (95% of total insect abundance) from site-8, nine (47% of total insect abundance) from site-10, 168 (89% of total insect abundance) from site-12, and 13 (32% of total insect abundance) from site-14.

We hadn’t collected any pea leaf weevils from any of the pea sites last year, but there were a few this year even this time of the year; usually, the overwintered pea leaf weevil adults appear early in the season when the peas are very young. We collected 13 pea leaf weevils from site-7 and five from site-10.

Other less pestiferous (e.g., hoppers, thrips, plant bugs) and some beneficial insects (e.g., wasps, flies, lady beetles, damsel bugs) were also collected but they were not as abundant as pea weevils or pea leaf weevils.

The Palouse region this week experienced mild weather. We still haven't collected any pea aphids from winter or spring pea traps. We are starting to collect sweep samples from peas to assess other insect pests, as we have been observing the pea weevils and pea leaf weevils in most sites. We will continue to provide updates on the status of pea aphids and other pests; stay tuned.

This week, the Palouse region experienced cool - mild weather. We still haven't collected a single pea aphid from any of our aphid traps.  Nevertheless, we have observed the emergence of pea weevils and leaf damage by pea leaf weevils in most of the winter pea sites. This week and last week, we added a few more winter peas as well as spring peas. We will continue to provide updates on the progress of all these locations. Stay tuned for more information.

This week, the Palouse region had warm weather with scattered rain. The good news is that no pea aphids were found in our traps. We anticipate fewer pea aphids compared to last year. However, we have noticed the emergence of pea weevils at certain sites (-2, 3, and 4), in addition to the previously observed pea leaf weevil infestation.

This week, the weather is becoming warmer in the region. We have not seen any pea aphids across sites in the aphid traps deployed in winter peas. However, we have observed that most sites have pea leaf weevils infestations cutting pea leaves aggressively.  In particular, the Lewiston site (site #1) was highly infested. We are in the process of adding spring pea locations too.

This week's weather started off warm and became cooler and rainy towards the end of the week. As of now, we have not found any pea aphids in the winter peas. Stay tuned for further updates next week. Additionally, we will soon be adding spring pea locations.

Due to a cooler and wetter than usual spring, this year has been a bit slower for crops and pests. For this year’s pea aphid and legume virus monitoring, we began deploying pea aphid pan traps in winter peas this week and collected pea plant samples for any virus infection. Tune in for the weekly updates on pea aphid abundance and virus incidence. Considering the concerns of some stakeholders, we will also regularly monitor other insect pests (e.g., pea leaf weevil). The map will soon be updated for the 2023-growing season with all winter and spring pea trap locations. Spring peas have not emerged yet, but they will be added in the coming weeks. 

We want to thank all the cooperating legume growers in the Palouse region and other stakeholders (e.g., ProGene Plant Research, Pacific Northwest Farmers Cooperative Inc., USDA-Pullman Legume Research Geneticist) for supporting the Legume Virus Project. Best wishes for the upcoming growing season; we hope this growing season goes well and we don’t find too many aphids and viruses!

2022 Season

This week, we are finishing up our aphid collection from this year's winter and spring peas. Except for the five aphids collected from Site-8 (Kambitsch, ID), no aphid was observed on any spring pea aphid traps this week. We already collected traps from winter pea fields last week.

Aphids collected from site-8 tested positive for PEMV (Pea Enation Mosaic Virus) but negative for BLRV (Bean Leaf Roll Virus).

This year, overall, we collected significantly more aphids from both winter and spring peas than the last year, but, probably due to other favorable growth conditions, the peas seem to be doing good across the Palouse. Our best wishes to all pea producers for the great harvest! Please check our updates on aphids and viruses next year.

 

This week in winter peas, four pea aphids from site-2 (Albion, WA) and two from site-3 (Kendrick, ID) were collected, but no aphid was observed in pan traps on other winter pea sites. We also collected aphids traps from winter pea sites.

In spring peas, three pea aphids from site- 8 (Kambitsch, ID), one from site-9 (Dayton, WA), two from site-10 (Parker farm, ID),  and five aphids from site- 13 (Cow creek Rd, ID) were collected, but no aphid was found on other spring pea sites.

For virus test results, aphids collected from site-3, site-8, and site-10 tested positive for BLRV (Bean Leaf Roll Virus), but negative for PEMV (Pea Enation Mosaic Virus)Aphids from the remaining sites tested negative for both PEMV and BLRV.

This week in winter peas, two pea aphids from site-2 (Albion, WA), three from site-3 (Kendrick, ID), and five aphids from site-4 (Genesee, ID) were collected, but no aphid was observed in pan traps on other winter pea sites.

In spring peas, 19 pea aphids from the site- 8 (Kambitsch, ID) and 11 aphids from the site- 13 (Cow creek Rd, ID) were collected, but no aphid was found on other spring pea sites. Pea plants in some of the spring pea sites (mainly sites 8, and 13) were heavily infested with pea aphids (mostly wingless ones). Palouse weather is warming up and pea plants (mostly winter peas) are maturing, indicating that the season is waning slowly, so we might start collecting the aphid traps in a week or two.

For virus test results, aphids collected from site-3 and site-4 tested positive for both BLRV (Bean Leaf Roll Virus) and PEMV (Pea Enation Mosaic Virus). Aphids collected from site-8 and site-13 tested positive for PEMV but negative for BLRV. Aphids from the remaining sites tested negative for both PEMV and BLRV.

Important:  As we collected 642 aphids (most among all sites) in our sweep (50 sweeps) samples from site 8 (Kambitsch, ID) on June 30, we are now observing a very heavy infestation on every pea plant on this site. While the late-season surges of aphid pests have a relatively low impact on the mature (currently flowering on this site) plants, we strongly recommend growers to use the threshold calculator available on this website to aid in their decision to manage aphid pests.

This week in winter peas, five pea aphids were collected from site-1 (Lewiston, ID),  five from site-2 (Albion, WA), and 12 aphids from site-4 (Genesee, ID), but no aphid was collected from other winter pea sites.

In spring peas, 66 pea aphids from site-9, one aphid from site-10 (Parker farm ID), and seven aphids from site- 13 (Cow creek Rd, ID) were collected, but no aphid was found on other spring pea sites. 

For virus test results, aphids collected from site-1, site-2, and site-13 tested positive for BLRV (Bean Leaf Roll Virus), but negative for PEMV (Pea Enation Mosaic Virus). Aphids from the remaining sites tested negative for both PEMV and BLRV.

 

This week in winter peas, seven pea aphids were collected from site-5 (Pullman, WA) and five aphids from site-7 (Dayton, WA), but no aphid was collected from other winter pea sites.

In spring peas, five aphids were collected from site- 9 (Dayton, WA), but no aphid was found on other spring pea sites. This week's weather was warm to hot in our region but it is predicted to rain and cool down coming weekend.  

For virus test results, except for site-9 (Dayton, WA: spring pea) where aphids were tested positive for BLRV (Bean Leaf Roll Virus) only, all aphids from other sites tested negative for both PEMV (Pea Enation Mosaic Virus) and BLRV.

Other pests in sweep net samples:

This week we sampled each of the pea fields by using sweep nets (50 sweeps/site) to assess any insect pests in peas. 

Compared to last year, pea aphids this year were significantly more abundant in sweep samples, which is consistent with the pan trap data. We collected 427 aphids from site-1, 48 from site-2, 481 from site-3, ten from site-4, seven from site-5, two from site-6, 36 from site-7, 642 from site-8, 34 from site-9, 110 from site-10, 12 from site-11, and 15 aphids from site-13. We also collected 11 pea weevils from site-2, three from site-4, one from site-5, 52 from site-6, and five from site-11, but none from other sites. We didn't collect any pea leaf weevils from any of the pea sites. Other less pestiferous (e.g., hoppers, thrips, plant bugs) and some beneficial insects  (e.g., wasps, flies) were also collected but they were not as abundant as pea aphid and pea weevils.

Virus tests on pea plants:

We also collected pea plant samples (n =15 plants/site: 5 plants from each of 3 transects per site) from each of the winter and spring pea locations for virus tests. Plants from site-10 (spring pea: Parker farm, Moscow) and site-13 (spring pea: Cow creek, Genesee) tested positive for both PEMV (Pea Enation Mosaic Virus) and BLRV (Bean Leaf Roll Virus); plants from site-2 (winter pea: Albion, WA) and site-7 (winter pea: Dayton, WA) tested positive only for PEMV; and plants from site 9 (spring pea: Dayton, WA) tested positive only for BLRV. Pea plants from other winter or spring pea sites tested negative for both PEMV and BLRV.  

 

This week in winter peas, nine pea aphids were collected from site-1 (Lewiston, ID), nine aphids from site-2 (Albion, WA), four from site-4 (Genesee, ID), three from site-5 (Pullman, WA), 46 aphids from site-7 (Dayton, WA), and one aphid from site-6 (Garfield, WA). No aphid was collected from other winter pea sites.

In spring peas, one aphid was collected from the site- 8 (Kambitch, ID), but no aphid was found on other spring pea sites. Also, we have added ten hairy vetch sites that had more abundant aphid numbers (sampled by sweep netting) than that in winter and spring peas. The weather in our region is still cool to warm, but it is going to be hot soon. As predicted, we already collected significantly more pea aphids  (though not to the level of an outbreak) this year than in the past three years. We are still observing pea weevils in certain sites; we will be sampling other insect pests from winter peas next week and updating them here.

This week in winter peas, thirty-five pea aphids were collected from site-1 (Lewiston, ID), five aphids from site-2 (Albion, WA), nine from site-4 (Genesee, ID), two from site-5 (Pullman, WA), and one aphid from site-7 (Dayton, WA).  No aphid was collected from other winter pea sites or from any of the spring pea sites. Also,  the aphids from site-1 tested positive for BLRV (Bean leaf roll virus) but negative for PEMV (Pea enation mosaic virus). The aphids from site-2 tested positive for PEMV but negative for BLRV. The aphids from other sites tested negative for both BLRV and PEMV.

 

This week in winter peas, ten pea aphids were collected from site-1 (Lewiston, ID), seven aphids from site-2 (Albion, WA), one from site-3 (Kendrick, ID), and one from site-4 (Genesee, ID), but no aphid was collected from other sites. All the aphids were tested negative for BLRV (Bean leaf roll virus) and PEMV (Pea enation mosaic virus).  Also, no aphids collected so far from spring pea sites.

With the help of Washington State University entomologists, we have now added ten perennial hairy vetch population sites to this project from where aphids are collected using sweep nets (instead of using pan traps like in winter and spring peas). This week in hairy vetch sites, six aphids were collected from site-15, 100 from site-16, six from site-17, 39 from site-18, and zero aphids from site-19. The aphids from site-15 tested negative for any virus, but those from site-16 and site-18 tested positive for both BLRV and PEMV, and the aphids from site-17 tested positive for PEMV but negative for BLRV. 

As predicted, this year seems more favorable for insect pests than the last year. We have observed and collected more pea aphids this year so far than the total aphids collected last year. While servicing aphid traps weekly, we have also observed pea weevils and pea leaf weevils in many of the pea fields we have visited. We suggest our growers be vigilant by regularly scouting their legume crop fields.

This week in winter peas, 26 pea aphids were collected from site-1 (Lewiston, ID) and six from site-4 (Genesee, ID), but no aphid was collected from other sites. Both sites with aphids are nearby vetch populations. All the aphids were tested negative for BLRV (Bean leaf roll virus) and PEMV (Pea enation mosaic virus). Also, we have some reports of pea aphid infestation on vetch populations around the snake river, so growers with pea fields nearby should be vigilant. Next week, we will add new sites with spring peas, sweep sample vetch populations, and update aphid information.

Good news! This week no pea aphid was detected at any of the aphid traps in winter pea sites. Spring peas have started to emerge in the Palouse region. We will add spring pea fields to the Legume Virus Project next and/or the following week. 

This week, we collected one aphid from the  Albion site (site # 2), but all the other sites were aphid-free. We tested the aphid for any virus and it was tested negative for both BLRV (Bean leaf roll virus) and PEMV (Pea enation mosaic virus).  This week's weather was still rainy, cold, and windy.

This week, except for one aphid collected from the Genesee site (site #4), no pea aphid was found in any of the other sites. The good news is no virus was detected in this aphid. The weather is getting warmer and we could see more aphids next week. Please stay tuned for additional information.  

We checked all the winter pea locations this week, amid rainy and cool weather. The good news so far is no pea aphids were found in any of the sites.  

Pea aphid and legume virus monitoring for this year has now been started. This week, pea plant samples were collected for virus testing and aphid pan traps were deployed in six winter pea fields in the Palouse region. Trap locations can be found on the 2022 aphid/virus tracker map. Spring peas are not ready for the survey yet, but we will add those locations in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more updates.

We would like to thank all the stakeholders (e.g., ProGene Plant Research, Pacific Northwest Farmers Cooperative, USDA pea breeding scientist) and growers, for supporting the Legume Virus Project. Let's hope this growing season will also be aphid-and virus-free!

 

2021 Season

This week was the last week of 2021 field season for the Legume Virus Project, so all the aphid pan traps were taken out from winter and spring pea fields. This week also no aphid was collected from any of the winter pea or spring pea sites. Now the pea plants are drying down and no aphids are immigrating to the Palouse.

Congratulations to all the growers in the region! As you all noticed, this year was mostly aphid-free. We experienced quite uncommon weather this year. For example, June had several very hot (>100 F) days. These weather patterns could change year by year so please be vigilant in coming years too. We will come back next year with updates on aphids and viruses. Hope your harvest goes well.

 

This week was super hot in our region, with the hottest days ever recorded in June in some areas. Many of the pan traps were clean and didn't even have any insects trapped. So, no aphid was collected from any of the winter pea or spring pea sites.

Other pests in sweep net samples:

This week we sampled each of the pea fields by using sweep nets (50 sweeps/site) to assess any insect pests in peas. 

Except for one aphid on each of sites # 1 and 2, no pea aphid was collected even from the sweep net sampling. So, the results from aphid pan traps and sweep net sampling showed that this year's peas in the Palouse region were mostly aphid-free. Similarly, 12 pea weevils in site # 1, six in site # 2, seven in site # 5, one in site # 6, six in site # 10, and five weevils in site # 13 were observed in sweep samples. Additionally, 10 pea leaf weevils in site # 1, two in site # 2, one in site # 7, nine in site # 9, four in site # 11, and 38 pea leaf weevils in site # 12 were detected. Other less pestiferous and some beneficial insects were also collected but they were not as abundant as pea weevils and pea leaf weevils.

This week no aphid was collected from any of the winter pea or spring pea sites. Good news, again!

Luckily aphids were mostly absent in the pan traps. This week in winter pea sites, one aphid from site # 12 (Parker Farm, ID), and two aphids from site #13 (Spillman Farm, WA) were collected. In spring pea sites, ten aphids each from sites # 8 (Colton, WA), # 9 (Schultheis Rd, WA), # 10 (Old Hwy 95, ID), and # 11 (Hwy 95 JCT) were collected, but no aphids were observed in other winter or spring pea sites. Also, except on aphids from sites # 10 and 11 (only PEMV was positive on aphids from both sites), no virus was detected on any of the other collected aphids.

Other pests:

We also detected pea weevils (≤5/50 sweeps) at Site # 8 (Colton, WA) and Site # 10 (Old Hwy 95 Rd, ID).

This week's weather was primarily windy, cold (mid-40s F) to warm (mid-70s F), and lightly rainy. A few of the pan traps were flooded due to rain. This week, no aphid was collected from any of the winter pea or spring pea sites. Good news!

This week's weather ranged from warm (~65 F) to hot (~90 F) across sites. This week in winter pea sites, one aphid was collected from site-12 (Parker Farm, Moscow, ID), but no aphid was collected from other sites. No virus was detected from the aphid. Also, there was no aphid found in any of the spring pea sites.

Virus tests on pea plants:

We also collected pea plant samples (n =15 plants/site: 5 plants from each of 3 transects per site) from each of the 13 locations for virus tests. Plants from sites # 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, and 13 tested positive for PEMV (Pea Enation Mosaic Virus). Similarly, plants from sites # 1, 2, 3, and 4 tested positive for BLRV (Bean Leaf Roll Virus). Pea plants from other sites were tested negative for PEMV and BLRV.

Other pests:

We also detected a few pea weevils (≤2/50 sweeps) at Site # 5 (Olson Rd, Palouse, WA). 

This week's weather was windy but warmer than the last week. This week in winter pea sites, eight aphids from site-12 (Parker Farm, Moscow, ID) and one from site -1 (Genese, ID) were collected, but no aphid was collected from other sites. Also, no virus was detected on any of the collected aphids. We are ahead of next year in finding pea aphids at the winter pea sites. This week there was no aphid found in any of the spring pea sites. More aphids can be expected next week.

This week (a relatively cold and rainy week) also no pea aphid was collected at any of the seven winter pea or six spring pea sites. Starting next week, we will also be collecting plant samples for virus analysis. Stay tuned for the updates.

Good news! This week no pea aphid was collected at any of the seven winter pea sites. Six spring pea fields were also added this week (round markers on the map) and will be checked for the first time next week. Stay tuned for the updates.

We checked all the winter pea locations this week. Except for one aphid collected from the Parker Farm location (site #12), no pea aphid was found in any of the other sites. Even though it is a single aphid from a single site so far, we are well ahead of last year in finding an aphid as there was no single aphid trapped until early June last year. However, the good news is no virus was detected from the aphid. We have already identified the spring pea locations for this year. Please stay tuned for additional information.  

We checked all the winter pea locations this week. The good news so far is no pea aphids were found in any of the sites. Aphid traps were placed at two more winter pea locations (total = 7 for this year) this week. More pea locations (including spring peas) are coming soon.

With the help of ProGene Plant Research, Pacific Northwest Farmers Cooperative, and other stakeholders, we have identified 11 pea sites (5 winter pea + 6 spring pea) so far in the Palouse area for this year. We will add more pea locations in the coming weeks. Trap locations for winter and spring peas can be found on the 2021 aphid/virus tracker map. Pea aphid pan traps were deployed this week in five winter pea fields, but the spring peas are not ready for the survey yet. Stay tuned for more updates. Thank you, all of the stakeholders and growers, for supporting the Legume Virus Project. Best wishes for the upcoming growing season!

2020 Season

We are finishing up our aphid collection from this year's winter and spring peas. This week in winter pea sites, two pea aphids were collected from site-5 and one from site-8. In spring pea sites, eight pea aphids were collected from site-11, twenty-one from site-12, seven from site-13, three from site-14, and six aphids from site-15. We collected more aphids in spring peas this year than last year, but they didn't seem too high to damage the crops significantly. Although aphid numbers are increasing and unfortunately due to COVID-19 we are unable to process this year’s specimens in time to detect viruses, the effect of any new virus infections in pea at this stage is negligible. We suggest our growers monitor for the abundance that is great enough to cause direct injury. Please check our updates on aphids and virus next year.

This week in spring pea sites, one pea aphid was collected from site-11, four from site-12, one from site-13, one from site-14, and three aphids from site-15. This week, except two aphids collected from site-5, no aphid was collected from the winter pea sites. This week many of the pan traps were flooded due to rain. 

This week in spring peas, three pea aphids were collected from site-11, five from site-12, seven from site-13, eleven from site-14, and fourteen aphids from site-15. In winter peas, one aphid was collected from site-5 and two from site-7, but no aphid was collected from other sites.

Other pests:

We also detected a few pea weevils (≤2/50 sweeps) at two of these spring pea fields. 

This week in spring pea sites, zero pea aphid was collected from site-11, one from site-12, three from site-13, two from site-14, four from site-15, one from site-16, and one aphid from site-17. This week one aphid was collected in site-1, one from site-6, and one from site-10 in winter pea sites. This week many of the pan traps were flooded due to rain. Due to Covid-19 related restrictions, processing aphids to detect the presence of the virus will be delayed this year, but we are working on it. Stay tuned for more updates.

This week, two pea aphids were collected from site-11, nine from site-12, two from site-13, two from site-14, and four aphids from site-15. This week also, no aphid has been found in winter pea sites. Due to Covid-19 related restrictions, processing aphids to detect the presence of virus will be delayed this year. Stay tuned for the updates.

This week also we haven't found any aphids in winter peas traps. However, one aphid was collected from each of site 12, 14, and 15 from the spring pea traps. This week many of the pan traps were flooded due to rain. Due to Covid-19 related restrictions, processing aphids to detect the presence of virus will be delayed this year.

We haven’t found any aphids so far in the 2020 traps in winter peas. Stay tuned for more aphid and virus updates in both winter and spring peas.

We haven’t found any aphids so far in any of the 2020 traps located in winter peas. Stay tuned for more aphid and virus updates in both winter and spring peas.

We haven’t found any aphids so far in any of the 2020 traps located in winter peas. Stay tuned for more aphid and virus updates.

This year we are happy to collaborate with ProGene Plant Research LLC. ProGene is leading to setting up the pea aphid pan traps in the inland Pacific Northwest region. Trap locations for winter and spring peas can be found on the 2020 aphid/virus tracker map. This year's traps range from Davenport, WA to Pendleton, OR. The good news is that we haven’t found any aphids so far in any of the 2020 traps. Thank you ProGene and all the pea producers for your support to the Legume Virus Project! Stay tuned for more updates.

2019 Season

We finished our aphid collection as well as virus testing for this year's cultivated (winter and spring peas) sites. While we collected very few aphids this year, NO virus was detected from any of those aphids. As the aphid populations fluctuate year by year, there might be few reasons why we are not seeing aphids and virus in 2019. For example, late spring/early summer was uncommonly cold and wet, but these weather patterns could change year by year. We suggest our growers to be as vigilant as before in coming years and check our updates on aphids and virus.

This week, except the two aphids found in site 12, no aphid was collected from any other spring pea sites. While spring peas are done (or almost done) flowering, we pulled out our spring pea aphid traps this week. However, we have recently gotten results from three additional traps that were deployed in the perennial habitats, nearby vetch populations. No virus was detected in these sites, but one aphid was collected from each of these three sites. We will keep updating on virus and aphids on vetch populations.

Again, great news for the growers! This week, no aphid was collected from any of the spring pea sites, and we already pulled out our winter pea traps.

Since this year's pea fields are mostly clean (aphid-free/virus-free) and the winter peas are either almost done flowering or already drying, we collected all of our winter pea aphid traps this week. We collected only two aphids from site 6, but no aphid was found in other winter pea sites. Also, NO aphid was found from any of the spring pea sites, but we will keep spring pea aphid traps for few more weeks. 

This week also most of the pea fields are aphid-free. Only one aphid was collected from site 4, but no aphid was found in other winter pea sites. Also, NO aphid was found from any of the spring pea sites. 

Good news for our growers that this year's most of the pea fields are aphid-free and virus-free. This week, one aphid was collected each from site 4, 5, and 6, but no aphid was found in other winter pea sites. Also, except one aphid collected from site 9, no aphid was found from any of the other spring pea sites. Pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV) was tested negative from all aphids collected this year. Results for other virus tests are coming soon.

This week, six aphids were collected from site 4, one from site 5, and one from site 6, but no aphid was found in other winter pea sites. Also, no aphid was found from any of the spring pea sites.This week also many of the pan traps were flooded due to rain. Virus results are coming next week.

This week, two aphids were collected from site 3, four from site 4, and one from site 6, but no aphid was found in other winter pea sites. For the spring peas, one aphid was collected from each of site 8, 11, and 13.This week also some of the pan traps were flooded due to rain. Virus results are coming soon.

Three aphids were collected from site 4, but no aphid was found in other sites. This week, most of the pan traps were flooded due to rain. Also, six spring pea sites have been added to the map now. This week, aphids were collected from only two sites: site 8 had four aphids and site 11 had one aphid . Virus results are coming soon.

This week, no aphid was collected at sites 1, 2, and 5. However, 2 aphids were collected at site 3; 1 aphid at site 4; 3 aphids at site 6; and 1 aphid at site 7 were collected. Virus tests are underway. Also, six spring pea fields were located and sampled this week and will be added to the map soon.

All five winter pea locations were checked, but no pea aphids were found. Aphid traps were placed at two more winter pea locations (total=7). Spring pea locations are coming soon.

Aphid traps were placed at five winter pea locations

2018 Season

Aphid traps were checked for the last time of the season this week and pulled out of the field. Aphid counts have continued to decrease over the past few weeks with this week showing the lowest count at each trap site all season. All but one sites yielded single digit aphid counts. Virus results will continue to be updated to Aphid Tracker.

This week, all traps were sampled and aphids were captured at all sites. Aphid counts continue to drop as plants at most locations start to dry down. Plant tissue samples were taken this week and will be mailed to the Parma lab for virus testing.

This week, all traps were sampled and aphids were captured at all sites. Aphid counts appear to be dropping a little bit as plants are starting to dry down as well. Plant tissue samples will be taken next week.

This week, all traps were sampled and aphids were captured at all sites. We're still seeing a very large amount of aphids being captured in the pan traps. Still waiting on virus results.

This week, all traps were sampled and aphids were captured at all sites. This week yielded the largest amount of aphids trapped so far. Samples will be shipped to Parma for virus testing. We are still waiting of virus results from two weeks ago and last week.

Last week (6/11/18-6/15/18) the Entomological Society of America Pacific Branch meeting took place so traps were not sampled until Thursday: Aphids were found at all locations with the most aphids found at site #7. This week, aphids were found once again at all locations with the most aphids found at site #4. Aphids from both this week and last week were mailed to the Parma research lab yesterday to be tested for virus. Virus results from two weeks ago are in: 1 aphid tested positive for virus from site #4 (PEMV), 1 aphid from site #5 (PEMV), 1 aphid from site #7 (PEMV), and 2 aphids from site #8 (PEMV).

This week all aphid trap locations were sampled. Aphids were collected at all locations with the most aphids coming from sites 8 with twenty-three and site 9 with twenty-five aphids collected. Aphids will be tested for virus. We are currently still waiting on virus results from the aphids collected last week.

This week, all aphid trap locations, including the 5 new spring pea locations were sampled. Aphids were collected at all locations with the most aphids coming from sites 2 and 4 with thirty-six aphids collected from each location. Aphids will be tested for virus. This year is showing many more aphids at this point in the spring compared to last year.

The aphids captured last week all tested negative for virus. This week: two aphids collected at site #1, six aphids at site #2, four aphids at site #3, and six aphids at site #4. The virus results are already in for the aphids captured this week and two aphids from site #2 and two aphids from site #3 tested positive for PEMV. Spring pea fields were also added this week (round markers on the map) and will be checked for the first time next week.
The aphids captured last week all tested negative for virus. This week: 1 aphid was collected at site #1, 5 aphids at site #2, 4 aphids at site #3, and 2 aphids at site #4. They have been shipped to Parma to be tested for virus. Spring pea map locations should be posted next week.
The four winter pea locations were collected this week. Seven aphids were collected at site #3 and one aphid was collected at site #4. They have been sent to Parma to test for virus.
The four winter pea locations were collected this week. No pea aphids were collected.
The four winter pea locations were collected this week. No pea aphids were collected.
The four winter pea locations were collected for the first time this week. One pea aphid was collected at site #2. It will be sent to Parma to be tested for virus. Spring pea locations coming soon.
Yesterday and today aphid traps were placed at the four winter pea locations and will be checked for the first time next week. Spring pea locations have not been determined yet.
Traps were checked one last time last week and were pulled out of the field for winter. No aphids were collected. Plant tissue samples were collected from each of the four locations and will be shipped to Parma this week to be tested for virus.
Traps were checked this week. No aphids were found. Results are back from the aphids captured last week and both aphids tested negative for virus.

Traps were checked this week. One aphid was found at site #1 and one aphid was found at site #3. These samples were sent to Parma for virus testing.

The 2018 field season is under way. We have four winter pea fields this year, and all traps have been put out and will remain out until the first hard freeze. Traps were placed at sites #1 and #2 this week. Traps were placed at site #4 last week and were checked for the first time this week; no aphids were collected. Traps were placed at site #3 two weeks ago and were checked last week and this week; no aphids were found.

2017 Season

Virus results are in from the week of July 19th: PEMV was found at sites #1, #2, #3, #4, #6, #8, #9, and #12. Virus results are also in from the week of July 26th: PEMV was found at sites #1, #3, and #4.
Virus results are in from sampling two weeks ago: PEMV was found at sites #1, #2, #3, #5, #6, #8, #10, #12, and #13. This week, two aphids were collected at site #1, one aphid was collected at site #2, two aphids were collected at site #3, two aphids were collected at site #4, two aphids were collected at site #6, and one aphid was collected at site #11. Traps were pulled from the fields this week so there will be no more sampling the rest of the season. We will be awaiting virus results from last week's collection and this week's.
Virus results are in from sampling two weeks ago: PEMV was found at sites #1, #4, #7, #9, and #11. This week three aphids were collected at site #1, five aphids were collected at site #2, two aphids were collected at site #3, one aphid was collected at site #4, two aphids were collected at site #5, three aphids were collected at site #6, no aphids at site #7, one aphid at site #8, fourteen aphids at site #9, sixteen aphids at site #10, one aphid at site #11, two aphids at site #12, and no aphids at site #13.
All locations were sampled this week. Plant tissue samples were also taken from each location to be tested for virus as well. Collection results for this week: three aphids at site #1, thirteen aphids at site #2, four aphids at site #3, four aphids at site #4, one aphids at site #5, three aphids at site #6, no aphids at site #7, five aphids at site #8, fourteen aphids at site #9, thirty-seven aphids at site #10, no aphids at site #11, two aphids at site #12, and twenty-one aphids from site #13. We are still waiting on virus results from last week and two weeks ago.
Virus results are in from sampling two weeks ago: BLRV and PEMV were found at site #12 and PEMV was found at site #11. Because last week's collection was so large, we are still waiting on virus results. For this week: seven aphids were collected at site #1, thirty-one aphids at site #2, two aphids at site #3, nine aphids at site #4, four aphids at site #5, three aphids at site #6, four aphids at site #7, three aphids at site #8, eighteen aphids at site #9, fifty-six aphids at site #10, twenty-two aphids at site #11, three aphids at site #12, and one hundred-thirty-one aphids at site #13.
This week all four winter pea fields were sampled: three aphids at site #1, three aphids at site #2, thirteen aphids at site #3, six aphids at site #4. All spring pea fields were sampled as well: one aphid at site #5, six aphids at site #6, one aphid at site #7, four aphids at site #8, three aphids at site #9, twenty-three aphids at site #10, ten aphids at site #11, six aphids at site #12, and 56 aphids at site #13. We are still waiting on the virus results from last week, as there were a lot of aphids trapped last week so a lot of aphids to process.
The results are in from the aphids collected last week. One aphid from site #5 tested positive for PEMV. Three aphids from site #7 tested positive for PEMV. Two aphids from site #8 tested positive for PEMV. One aphid from site #10 tested positive for PEMV. This week was another heavy week for collecting aphids. For the winter pea sites: six pea aphids were collected at site #2, two aphids were collected at site #3, and seven pea aphids were collected at site #4. In the spring peas: two aphids were collected at site #5, seven pea aphids were collected at site #8, twenty-five aphids were collected at site #9, ninety-four aphids were collected at site #10, ten aphids were collected at site #11, twelve aphids were collected at site #12, and nine aphids were collected at site #13. These samples will be sent to Parma to test for virus.
This week was the first week for collecting in spring pea fields. The spring pea fields have been added to the map as locations 5-13. Two aphids were collected at site #5, three aphids were collected at site #7, five aphids were collected at site #8, three aphids were collected at site #9, four aphids were collected at site #10, twenty-two aphids were collected at site #11, and twenty-one aphids were collected at site #13. For the winter pea fields, three aphids were collected at site #3 and two aphids were collected at site #4.
This week no pea aphids were collected at any of the winter pea sites. As for the aphids collected last week, all tested positive for PEMV except one and none tested positive for BLRV. Traps were placed in spring pea fields this week as well. Six fields near Uniontown/Colton, WA and three fields near Fairfield, WA. These traps will be checked for the first time next week.

This week, five pea aphids were collected at site 2 and three pea aphids were collected at site four. These aphids will be sent to Parma to test for virus.

The single pea aphid collected at site three last week tested positive for Pea Enation Mosaic Virus. This week, one aphid was collected at site three and once again, it tested positive for PEMV. Another aphid was collected this week at site four; it did not test positive for virus.

The 4 winter pea field traps were checked again this week. One pea aphid was collected at site 3, This aphid will be sent to Parma to test for virus. Plant tissue samples were also collected this week from all four spring pea locations as well as from a location in Ferdinand, Idaho; Lind, Washington; and Dayton, Washingtion. The tissue samples will also be sent to Parma to test for virus. Spring pea fields should be added soon.
The 4 winter pea field traps were checked again this week. No aphids were collected. Spring pea fields should be added soon.
The 4 winter pea field traps were checked again this week. No aphids were collected. Spring pea fields should be added soon.
The 4 winter pea field traps were checked again this week. No aphids were collected.
Last week and this week (April 12 & 19), traps were checked and no aphids were found. Traps are still only in four winter pea fields.
Today was the second week of checking traps. Still only 4 winter pea fields have traps in them. No aphids were collected.
Today was the first collection day of the spring season. Traps are only out in four winter pea fields right now. No aphids were collected today. More winter pea locations will be added. And Spring pea locations will be added soon as well.
All traps were sampled one last time and pulled from the fields for the winter. No aphids were found. Plant tissue samples were collected from each location to be tested for virus and are awaiting results now.
Aphid traps were sampled this week and no aphids were found at any of the locations.
All five traps were sampled this week, including the two new locations where traps were placed last week. No pea aphids were found at any of the locations.
New traps were set out at two more locations this week and will be tested for aphids for the first time next week. As for the other traps, no aphids were gathered at any of the three original locations this week.
Aphids were collected this afternoon. 3 pea aphids were collected at Site #2 and these were the only aphids collected. These aphids will be sent south for PCR testing.
Today was the first day of the 2017 field season for Aphid Tracker (fall-sown peas). We have only three sites of winter peas and no pea aphids were found in the traps located at any of the three sites.

2016 Season

Today was the last day of the 2016 field season for Aphid Tracker. We only collected a total of 2 alate pea aphids at two sites (#2 and #13). A short paragraph or two will be uploaded next week informing you of what we found for this season. The final two aphids will be sent south for PCR virus testing.
Aphids were collected early this morning and into the early afternoon. Less aphids were found at sites, a total of 11 alate pea aphids were collected. Site #17 had the highest number of pea aphids (5 total). We have noticed from PCR testing that more aphids have been positive for BLRV than earlier in the season. Again virus symptoms should have a negligible impact on yield (if infected this late in the season).
Aphids were collected early this morning and into this afternoon. A bit more than last week (especially considering the storm front we just got). Site #'s with aphids included: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 13. The site with the highest number of aphids was site number 9 with a total of 9 alate pea aphids. Aphids will be sent south for PCR virus testing.
Aphids were collected early this morning and into the afternoon. Not too many alate pea aphids were found this week with only a total of 16 aphids at 8 sites (site #'s: 1, 5, 6, 9, 13, 14, 15 and 17). Site #1 had the most pea aphids with 4. Virus was visually evident in fields in the southwest corner of the Aphid Tracker Pan Trap Network.
Aphids were collected this morning and early afternoon at 13 sites, we also did sweep net sampling at 13 of the pan trap sites (25 - 180° sweeps/site). Aphids were found in abundance (trap counts) at site #'s: 1 (4 aphids), 6 (5 aphids), 9 (6 aphids). Sweepnet sampling shows that two sites had much higher than normal aphid numbers and are at or exceeding the economic injury level (depending upon variables) - Site #7 had 157 aphids/25 - 180° sweeps while site #17 had 203 aphids/25-180° sweeps.

All but 4 sites had aphids present in pea aphid pan traps (76% of field sites had aphids present). The most abundant site was site #9 with a total of 4 alate pea aphids. ELISA plates are being read again for the 3rd time.

DAS-ELISA (double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) tests of plant samples taken from each field have been analyzed.

Plant samples taken: 10 June 2016; 3 transects/site; 10 plants/transect; 16 total sites (1 site emerged as a wheat field [site was kept anyway] = site #4); 48 total samples; Plates read at 405 nm (wavelength) on 16 June 2016.

Overall - 50% of fields tested were positive for PEMV, BLRV or Both viruses.

Only 1 northern site (#3) tested positive for either virus, in this case BLRV and only 1 transect out of the 3 (33% virus incidence) was positive for that virus. All other sites that tested positive for BLRV/PEMV were located south of Moscow. Sites south and west of Moscow had the highest virus presence and incidence: sites #7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 tested positive for PEMV with a high incidence (14 out of 15 transects tested positive, 93% virus incidence). Sites south and east of Moscow: #16 and 17 tested positive for BLRV, PEMV or both (at a relatively low virus incidence, 33% and 66%, respectively). The cutoff date for treatment of alate viruliferous pea aphids (from UI data) shows that spraying before 32.49 DAE would be economical in preventing yield loss (quite early in the growing season). After looking at the fields today I believe all pea fields are past this cutoff date and thus virus damage to yield should be negligible this year. Secondary virus spread could be happening right now as I type this.

Aphids collected today (17 June 2016) have been sent south for PCR analyses.

If you'd like more information about our DAS-ELISA results please contact Brad Stokes (bstokes@uidaho.edu).

Our plant samples were processed for ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and we should know the results by the end of the day. This should give us an overall picture of which viruses are present and in which localities (samples were taken from each site in our Aphid Tracker pan trap network).
Our first virus testing results indicated only one location had a viruliferous pea aphid (positive for PEMV) at one site (site #8) for the 8th of April. Dr. James Woodhall has processed two dates so far (8 April & 13 April). Aphid testing will continue until we are caught up with the current immigrating aphids.
Fewer aphids this week (compared to last week). We found alate pea aphids at sites # 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 13. A total of only 15 aphids were captured (and are being sent for virus testing). Site #9 had the most aphids with a total of 7 alate pea aphids.
Several sites had aphids (13 out of 17 had aphids present in traps) and other sites had a higher number of alate pea aphids (notably sites # 8, 9 and 10). Pea aphids are being sent down to Parma for virus testing. ELISA plant samples will be taken next week! Enjoy your weekend!
Very few alate pea aphids were found in traps, only 4 total aphids at two sites (site #'s 9 and 12). Site #6 was infested with alate and apterous pea aphids. Be sure to check your fields over the weekend for infestations. Have a GREAT WEEKEND! Aphids are being sent south for virus testing.
Yesterday (16 May) was an impromptu collection day, we collected a total of 8 aphids across 7 sites (site #'s: 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 17). Alate pea aphids are coming into the pea fields in the Palouse - be sure to monitor for aphid presence/absence in your particular field. Aphids will be sent to our virology lab for virus testing on Friday! We will collect again on 20 May.
Just got done with the Aphid Tracker Pea Aphid Pan Trap Network, found a total of 14 aphids at 8 of our sites (sites with aphids: 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14). Let's hope the cool wet Sunday weather kills off these immigrating pea aphid populations. Aphids will be sent to our virologist today, results to follow!
We checked traps this past Sunday (8 May) and found our first alate pea aphids of the season, please see the map of where we found aphids so far. A total of 8 alate pea aphids will be sent to the laboratory for virus testing. All aphids were found in the southern reaches of our trap network.
Aphid Tracker will be setting out traps early this year, traps should be in on April 29th with our first data collection happening on May 6th. We're getting excited!

2015 Season

Aphid pan trap sites were collected today. Aphid numbers are continuing to dwindle to near zero as the plants dry down and no aphids are immigrating from the Columbia Valley. Hope you had a great 4th of July! Next week will be our last collection. Sites T4, T6, T8, T10, T11 and T3 were taken out today.
Aphid pan trap sites were collected today, aphid numbers were the lowest they have been all year. Our three highest aphid trap sites were T12, T14 and T3.
Plant samples tested for virus (using ELISA) showed that 30% of fields are testing positive, be on the lookout for symptomatic plants.
Aphid pan trap sites were collected today instead of the normal Friday routine. The three highes sites were T12, T14 (again) and T5. Aphid PCR results and plant ELISA results should be in soon so keep on checking. Fields seem to have high aphid numbers right now.
Pan trap sites were just collected and dropped off for virus testing. The three highest aphid numbers were found at T12, T14 and T4. We also sampled each of our sites for plant samples, these will be run using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) to see if virus is present within the crop. Visible symptoms seemed to be in nearly all of our sites. Have a great weekend!
We have picked up a virus signal from the first collection (May 22nd). PEMV was found at two of our pan trap sites, site #6 and site #9. Be on the lookout for plants exhibiting virus symptoms. We will take plant samples for ELISA testing on Friday.
Aphid pan traps were just collected and turned in for PCR processing to see if aphids are carrying virus (BLRV & PEMV). Next Friday (June 19th) we will be taking plant samples for ELISA to check for the presence of virus in fields around the Palouse. Have a great weekend!
Aphid pan traps were collected on June 5th, we are still seeing quite a bit of alate pea aphids coming into the area. We are waiting on PCR results to confirm whether or not these aphids are carrying any virus (PEMV/BLRV). Should have results soon!
Aphid pan traps were collected again today, please check out our 2015 map and see the data for yourself! A total of 65 alate pea aphids were trapped and were just dropped off for virus testing. Virus results should be available early next week. Best wishes to all of you pea growers!!!
Aphid pan traps went out on May 18th this year and were collected for the first time on May 22nd. We collected a total of 63 aphids over our 14 trap sites. Pea aphids are now being ground up for virus testing. Wishing all of you good luck this season, be on the lookout for pea aphids.

2014 Season

Aphid pan traps were taken out yesterday. Hope harvest goes well for all the Palouse growers around the area!
Aphid numbers were very similar to last week, they should continue to dwindle as the season gets closer to harvest. Have a great weekend!
ELISA tests were just completed. No field site tested positive for BLRV, the following fields tested positive for PEMV: Sites 5, 7, 8, 11, 13. We will check fields Friday for incoming aphids and begin taking out traps as the fields dry. Have a great week and see you Friday!
ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) has not been able to find any Aphid Tracker Sites with BLRV, though so far one site (Site #15) has tested positive for PEMV. Traps will be checked today as well as plant tissue collecting for virus testing over the weekend. Aphid numbers are starting to decrease currently, but keep an eye out on your particular level of infestation. Have a wonderful weekend!
Just checked all aphid traps, except for site #4. Sites #6, #9 and #13 had high numbers of pea aphids. Sites will be checked again on July 2nd. Have a great weekend!
Aphid pan traps are continuing to be collected and posted to our 2014 map locations. The "hot spots" in the Palouse region continue to be sites #9 and #6. Next week we will be collecting plant samples at each location for virus testing using the ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) technique.
Pea aphid traps are currently collecting pea aphids at all sites. The "hot spots" so far have been sites #9 and #6, collecting a total of 171 aphids so far this year. We will continue to collect aphids each and every Friday. Next Friday (June 20th) we will be collecting plant samples for ELISA virus testing to see if PEMV/BLRV/PeSV are on the Palouse.
Pea aphid pan traps are set up in the Palouse growing region. Trap locations for this season can be found on the 2014 aphid/virus tracker map. Traps range from just north of Palouse, Wa to just north of Lewiston, ID with much of the traps along the breaks near the Snake River. We have already found aphids on peas this year at every location, except location #13. It is also important to note that our virus risk forecasting model predicted a high aphid/virus number (3 out of 4) for this season. Thanks to Jerry Mraz, Jacob Gisler & Mike Devoe for help finding pan trap locations and we would especially like to thank the pea/lentil/garbanzo producers for their cooperation. Good luck this growing season!

2013 Season

The newest calculator is up and running on the site. It is designated for lentil growers experiencing non-viruliferous aphid populations at or near the late (reproductive) growth stages. Thanks to Sunil Paudel for all his hard work.
This was the last day of aphid pan traps, all pan traps have been removed from their respective locations. ELISA results returned yesterday (August 1st) with no fields testing positive for either PEMV or BLRV. We would like to thank ALL cooperating growers for letting us put in and maintain traps and a special thanks to Jerry Mraz for all of his support.
The pan traps have still been collecting pea aphids, though numbers were low last Friday. All data has been added to the 2013 aphid tracker map. ELISA results will be posted by the end of this week. Good luck with harvesting in the upcoming weeks!!!
The pan traps have been continually collecting pea aphids. All data has been entered into the 2013 virus tracker map. The second round of ELISA tests will be finished this week and results will be posted as soon as possible.
The pan traps are continuing to collect pea aphids. We have pulled traps at a couple locations to make harvesting easier. Virus symptoms seem to be VERY LOW this year (so far), we will conduct another set of ELISA tests to check for virus presence this Thursday (July 11th). Data is continuing to be posted to the aphid/virus map for this season. If you notice any virus symptoms please feel free to contact us.
The pan traps collected 7 pea aphids last Friday (June 14th) at three sites. Data has been posted to the aphid/virus map for 2013.
ELISA results came back today. None of the fields tested came back positive for PEMV or BLRV, in addition no visual symptoms of either virus have been readily observed by our team. Virus risk seems lower than normal so far this season. Pan trap results will be posted tomorrow afternoon.
The pan traps collected 16 aphids on June 7th. Plant sample surveys are being run via ELISA and results should be posted very soon.
The pan traps collected 6 pea aphids on May 31st. Plant sample surveys were completed this morning and will be rushed through ELISA testing to determine virus presence and incidence within fields. The testing should be completed by Thursday, June 13th. Results will be posted immediately to the website and the 2013 map.
We will be doing a plant sample survey in the next couple days to test plants for viruses via ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) tests. The pan traps have collected 34 pea aphids across the trap network since deployment (May 17th). The 2013 map is on the website and data is being updated continually. ELISA tests will be posted as soon as they are processed. Aphid pan trap data will be entered every Friday afternoon.
Pea aphid pan traps were deployed this morning in various field locations across the Palouse. We will begin collecting data next Friday. We will also be providing weekly updates on pea aphid abundance for our trap locations. The map will soon be updated for the 2013-growing season with all the trap locations as well as the data. The virus risk forecast will also be completed early next week and will be integrated into the calculators as soon as possible. Special thanks to Jerry Mraz for helping us find locations for pan traps. We would also like to thank all the cooperating growers. Best wishes for the upcoming growing season!

2012 Season

We completed surveys at 27 field sites for visual symptoms of virus. Each evaluator walked a 100 meter transect and surveyed 50 plants every 10 meters for a total of 500 plants per transect, 3 transects per field, 1500 plants per field surveyed. The percentage of symptomatic plants ranged from 0.1% to 34%. There is a south to north pattern, with higher percentages of symptomatic plants tending to occur in southern areas and lower percentages in the north. A figure representing these data will be prepared soon. The higher percentages are expected to be associated with yield losses, based on prior years' data.
We are continuing to monitor but have no additional information to report at this point. We will be conducting an areawide systematic sampling for virus symptoms next week, and a second sample of plant tissue for presence of virus soon thereafter.

Maps of the approximate locations of fields testing positive for virus PEMV and BLVR can be viewed by clicking these links. The maps show the minimum percentage of infected plants in each location sampled. This is because the plants were pooled into sets for virus detection rather than sampled individually.

 

PM: Laboratory tests have been completed on plant tissue samples from all 34 sites in the survey. Nearly all sites were positive for virus in at least one plant (3%) of plants sampled. This is a higher incidence of virus at this point in the season than we have observed since starting our surveys in 2006. The prevalence of virus-positive plants varies among sites and we will be posting that information to the Aphidtracker by tomorrow.

AM: Unusually high infestations of aphids are being observed in the southern stretches of our study window, and specifically along the Rimrock road corridor. We are expecting data on the presence of virus imminently. We think producers across the region should proceed as though the disease risk is proportionately higher this year due to these infestation levels. ELISA results on the presence of virus particles in the plants from a survey of producer fields taken last week will be posted soon to this site.

We are now observing high densities of aphids in the crop, primarily in the southern stretches (Almota south along the breaks appox 20 miles), the usual hotspots.
The Columbia Basin had unusually high numbers of aphids this year in our surveys there in April. All of the traps have been deployed and we are collecting and testing aphids. The first aphid collections were made on June 4. Aphid abundance in the traps across the region are close to the average values for this time of year.

The aphid sampling season will be starting soon. This week we will visit the Columbia Basin to survey alfalfa fields and other sources. In early May the traps will be deployed and we will begin entering the data into the 2012 map. We will let you know as soon as this is posted.

Meanwhile, we have finalized our three calculators and posted them to this site (go to home page and click on Decision Support System for Managing Aphids & Viruses where you will find links to each one). The first calculator helps you decide on treatments for your pea seed. The second one helps you make decisions about whether to spray your fields early for aphid. The third one calculates and Economic Injury Level for aphids pre-bloom. All of these have been developed based on our research data collected during the LVP. If questions arise in using these, please let us know!

2011 Season

(July 30th - Aug 15th) The aphid sampling season has ended. We pulled the traps last week. Plants sampled during the disease scoring procedure were tested for virus using ELISA. We detected PEMV in 11 plants out of 225 plants tested and BLRV in 5 of 90 plants tested. These levels are consistent with the relatively low levels of disease observed this year.
(July 22nd - July 29th) Pea fields in the south are beginning to dry down. This week we conducted a visual survey for virus symptoms, and we collected tissue for virus detection. Three 100-meter transects were taken from each of 32 fields. Symptoms were observed in 8 of the 32 fields sampled (0.25). Of those eight fields, 3 had approximately 3% symptomatic plants, 2 fields had 5-10% symptomatic plants and 3 fields had approximately 25% symptomatic plants. The commercial fields with the highest rates are located in areas where virus symptoms have been observed in previous years: near Almota and Albion WA. PEMV was detected in fields near Albion and Almota. BLRV was detected near Pullman Washington, Genesee Idaho and in one field near Oaksdale, Washington. In all of these fields, 10% of the plants in each of these fields tested positive for the respective viruses.
(July 7th - July 21st) Aphid densities region wide are lower than what we have seen in years past at this stage in the season. We have begun to see visual symptoms of virus in some locations. Prevalence is lower than in the previous two years. In the southern parts of the region there are some fields with symptoms evident, but at low rates (1 to 3% of plants in affected fields). We will be taking a survey next week of visual symptoms to quantify this region wide.
(June 30th - July 7th) We continue to see no visual symptoms of virus. Aphid populations remain low to moderate on average. Recall that in 2009 and 2010, both years in which some fields developed symptoms and there were reported yield losses (southern parts of the region only), those symptoms were not observed until July. Based on this it is too early to declare that the risk of virus infection has passed for this year. Surveys continue.
(June 23rd - June 30th) Aphid clones are being observed within the crop, which is normal for this time in the season. The highest densities have been observed in a few fields in the southern part of the study region near the "breaks". Many fields are still only up 3-5 nodes, though fields in the south are further along relative to the whole region. The first field census has been completed and plant tissue samples are being tested for the presence of virus, the results of those tests will be posted as they are completed. While collecting the census samples virtually no visual symptoms were observed in fields. With the temperature finally reaching sustained warmer ranges, we expect in the next ten days the aphid populations will begin in earnest to take off.
Although the season has been delayed due to the cold weather, we began detecting pea aphid soon after setting out our traps this year in late May. As in previous years aphids have appeared first in the southern part of the region. Overall numbers are lower than in previous years and continue to be relatively low. No virus has been detected.

We will be holding a workshop for those interested in participating in a "beta" test of the Epicollect system that will allow growers to submit their observations of pea aphids and virus using smartphones. The data will be posted to maps that can allow everyone to see where aphids are in real time.

    Location: USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council Headquarters, 2780 W. Pullman Road

    Time: 11:30am

    What to bring: your smartphone (iPhone or Android only - does not work with Blackberry)

    Provided: sandwiches!

    RSVP: if you will be attending or have questions, please contact us by email: sanforde@uidaho.edu

2010 Season

Here is the full text from our Pulse Pipeline article for this date:

Virus symptoms report: This year, legume virus symptoms were first observed in the week of June 7 in pea fields near Almota, Albion and Uniontown, Washington. We also collected aphids carrying virus in traps in the same area relatively early in the season. Virus symptoms appeared later in fields near Genesee, Idaho, but have been essentially absent from fields in the northern part of the region. Last week, Lyndon Porter discovered virus symptoms in most of the 12 fields he sampled from Colfax to Moscow/Pullman. Two of the fields Lyndon scouted were severely injured. Jerry Mraz (PNW, Genesee) reports (June 20) that some symptoms are present in most of the fields he is scouting in his part of the region. In the north, Ken Fuchs (Co-Ag) reports (June 20) the crop looks mostly virus free except for rare, isolated plants. So the north-south differential observed in previous years seems to be holding. This week (June 19-20), we conducted a systematic visual survey for virus symptoms in pea fields at sites across the region where we have been trapping aphids this season. In each field, plants were sampled along two 100-meter transects. Along each transect, 50 plants were examined for symptoms every ten meters, for a total of 500 plants per transect. We sampled along two transects for a total of 1000 plants per field. We found the proportion of plants showing symptoms ranged from zero to 80% (Fig. 1) (all were pea fields except those indicated as lentil). As in prior years of our study, virus disease prevalence and percent infection is greater in the southern part than in the northern part of the region. Nonetheless, there are exceptions indicating local factors can override the drivers of this geographic trend. The symptoms we have seen this year (Figs. 2 and 3) are the distortion and windowing consistent with Pea enation mosaic virus, but our lab tests indicate Bean leaf roll virus is also present. Most fields only have symptoms in the upper nodes of affected plants so that the effects on yield this late in the season are uncertain. Where symptoms are more extensive, a yield impact is likely.

Aphid immigration patterns: It appears 2010 will be scored a “1” (low to moderate) on the “Clement” Index. This is because the cool and rainy June reduced aphid population growth and movement, although populations are now high in untreated fields. The source of virus inoculum this year remains uncertain since infectious aphids were rare in June. The warm spell in April could have brought in some undetected virus inoculum.

You can help: We would like to take advantage of the variability this year to measure the impacts of virus disease on pea yield. If you have symptoms like those shown in one of your fields and might be able to provide data on yield specific to that field, please let us know (sanforde@uidaho. edu). We would like to work with you.

We continue to see virus symptoms in certain fields in the southern part of the region, notably near Uniontown, Colfax and Genesee. We have reports, from Lyndon Porter who was scouting for fungal disease last week, that some virus symptoms (Pea enation mosaic) can be found in most fields from Colfax to Moscow/Pullman. Two of the fields scouted by Lyndon were severely injured. Jerry Mraz (PNW, Genesee) reports that some symptoms are present in most of the fields he is scouting. The degree of possible injury varies but is often confined to distortion of the uppermost pods and leaves. This late in the season it is difficult to know how much of an effect this could have on yield. Our surveys up north continue to find symptoms infrequently. Ken Fuchs (Co-Ag) also reports the crop looks virus free in the northern parts of the region except for rare, isolated plants. So the north-south differential observed in previous years is holding. We are completing a full symptom survey of all the trap sites north and south, today. We will have these results soon. A report will appear in the Pulse Pipeline this week.

Aphid numbers in traps are coming up across the region. Testing these aphids for presence of viruses is under way. Based on our surveys, virus symptoms in the crop remain confined to sites in the southern part of the region. For jpg photographs of representative symptoms observed near Site 17 click here (sympt1, sympt2, sympt3).

Plants and aphids from the southern part of the region have tested positive for Bean leaf roll virus. Suspected positives for PEMV are being retested. Aphids collected from sites 17 and 22 on June 3 are positive for BLRV.

We have begun seeing virus symptoms in pea fields. Plants visually symptomatic for PEMV were observed TODAY in pea fields near Almota and Albion WA. Plant tissue samples have been collected for analysis. Fields at all of our sites north of Albion were examined and no symptoms were found, but plant samples were taken. Tomorrow, sites to the south will be examined and the results reported here.

The aphid traps for the season were installed on May 18 and collections began on May 24. View the trapping Locations and Data. In summary, we picked up one aphid in our reliable first detector site near Almota on May 24. May 27 we collected no aphids. This week we have picked up a few aphids from traps near Colton and Uniontown, despite the recent run of rainy weather.

We have also been sweeping pea fields at each of the sites. Some sites near Uniontown had aphids (winged and wingless) in the crop. This week we detected some in peas near Albion. Otherwise, the crop has been free of aphids throughout the region. Testing for virus in aphids from traps and sweep samples is underway and results will be communicated ASAP to this site.

Next week, we will be collecting plant tissue from pea fields adjacent to all of the trap sites and testing this tissue for viruses. We will use 3 100-meter transects into each field, collecting 30 plants and looking for symptoms. If you are hosting traps and do not want us in the field to take the samples for whatever reason, please let us know by following the "Feedback" link on the side bar.

Grower Advisory Group Meeting ahead of the 2010 season.
Workshop on the Legume Virus Project at the Harvester Restaurant in Spangle, WA. Sanford Eigenbrode, Damon Husebye and Bhadra Murthy presenting, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Presentation to Cereal School in Lewiston Idaho, Lewiston Elks Lodge, 3444 Country Club Drive, Lewiston, Idaho, Sanford Eigenbrode, 9:05am
Presentation to Cereal School in Greencreek Hall, Greencreek ID, by Ed Bechinski

The LVP personnel met for a 2-day retreat at the University of Idaho to set plans for the 2010 season. Trap locations will be determined soon. The Columbia Basin trip in April will go further west to seek PEMV sources, and will explore close to home along river canyons. Those interested in hosting traps should contact us, by emailing sanforde@uidaho.edu. 

2009 Season

Surveys of the region were conducted during the week of July 22. Plant samples collected from commercial fields were subjected to ELISA for detection of PEMV and BLRV. In addition, fields were surveyed for occurrence of virus symptoms. These data have been mapped and posted to this web site. In summary, BLRV and PEMV are detectable using ELISA, with a greater proportion of sites positive for virus in the southern part of the region than in the northern part. BLRV occurs throughout the region, while PEMV only in the southern part. Virus symptoms occur in more fields and in greater proportions of plants in fields in the southern part of the region. To see these maps, click here or on 2009 "Locations" in this side bar.
A special workshop on virus symptoms in pea was held at the UI Plant Science Farm. An experiment under way there allowed participants to view pea plants with a range of symptoms caused by PEMV and BLRV. Plants had been inoculated for various periods of time in the field with both of these viruses.
Virus disease symptoms typical for PEMV have been observed in fields as far north as Oaksdale. In the northern sections, however, the incidence within field is low and many fields appear to be symptom free north of Palouse WA. In some fields to the south the proportion of infected plants can exceed 20%. We are continuing to monitor the situation and are working to confirm PEMV as the causal agent. Although some reports of injury in garbanzo beans have been received, on inspection it is not clear these are caused by virus. This is being studied.
Virus disease symptoms, sometimes severe and prevalent are now being observed in peas and garbanzo beans in the southern part of the region. Prevalence and severity are high enough in some fields to potentially cause yield losses. Review of samples from early in the season is underway, but preliminary results indicate few trapped aphids were carrying the virus.
Virus disease symptoms have been observed in several fields in the southern part of the Palouse. We are collecting tissue from fields throughout the region and will be reporting results to this site within a few days.
Virus disease symptoms and positive identification of presence of PEMV (by PCR) have been observed in one pea field near Almota WA. The crop is nearing maturity but symptoms including enations on foliage and distortions on pods are evident. Please stay tuned for additional information about this location and others during the next two days.
Aphid numbers continue to be moderate with negligible occurrence of virus in immigrating winged aphids. Disease symptoms have not been observed in the crops. During the coming week we will be collecting plant tissue from pea and lentil fields to assess presence of virus.
Aphid numbers collected in traps and encountered in pea fields are greater this year than in 2007 and 2008, but still relatively low. The early build up in May was depressed, evidently by the cool and wet weather in early June. We have only detected virus at one site thus far. That site appears to have BLRV and PEMV in the aphids collected. No disease symptoms are apparent in any sampled fields this year.
Presentation. Sanford will make a short report on this season's aphids to the SPRING CROP INSECT UPDATE, hosted by Larry Smith in Lewiston ID (AM - Brammer Building 1225 Idaho Street).
Trap sites have been set for 2009. Data on aphids collected from May 19 through May 26 have been posted as maps to the 2009 "movie". In summary, numbers of aphids trapped are greater than in the prior two years; more aphids are being collected from southern locations at this stage in the season. PCR tests have not detected virus in any incoming aphids this season.

Traps in the basin. (Walla Walla, Touchet) for the week of April 20, these traps were free of pea aphids.

Traps in the Palouse region. We have begun to set traps in the Palouse for the 2009 season. Although only a few growers have been able to plant pea or lentil, we will begin collecting aphids on May 15, as in prior years. We will have approximately 35 sites and these will be located on the map soon. Thanks to Ken Fuchs (CoAg) and Mike Devoe (Genesee Union) for their help in locating the trap sites this year.

Columbia Basin. We made our annual foray into the Basin on April 17-19 this year. Despite the cool season, aphids were located in alfalfa in 13 of 27 sites surveyed. Abundance was low (about 0.1 aphids per sweep). Thanks to help from McGregor's field men, especially Marshall McKinleye we located traps in Walla Walla, Touchet and Dayton.

Traps. We are just beginning to determine positions for traps for this season. With the new funding, we will be placing more traps than in previous years. If you are interested in having a trap located near one of your fields, please contact us.

No pea aphids are detectable in the region. Alfalfa fields in the Columbia Basin are dormant. Inspections are just beginning this week to determine status of overwintering aphids near Prosser.

2008 Season

The season continued to be a low aphid year. There was no evidence of virus disease or presence of viruses in the 30 field sites the team sampled in July.
Pea aphid counts began to increase in late June, but overall remained low. Sampling is being concluded this week and traps will be removed. Virus incidence in aphids has been extremely low. Virus symptoms have not been observed in sampled fields. A few plants appear symptomatic in Spillman Research Farm this week, and these will be tested for virus this week. Overall, based on these data, risk of virus disease in the Palouse appears to be virtually nil.
Pea aphid counts are rising slowly in the traps. The very first aphid to test positive for virus (PEMV) occurred in the Albion area in the 16 June sample.
Pea aphids are increasing slightly, to about 3-4 per sweep in many locations. Virus has been detected in two aphids collected from alfalfa fields in the Palouse, but so far not in any pea fields sampled.

Pea aphids remain at very low levels in the traps. We have yet to detect virus in any trapped aphids. We have detected PEMV in just one aphid collected from alfalfa. Based on the similarities in aphid and virus incidence this year and last, it appears that 2008 will be very low risk of virus in pea and lentil on the Palouse. We plan to continue monitoring aphids in the traps and in the fields until the second week of July. Data will be updated as we do so.

Pea aphids are beginning to arrive in the trap network (see This Year 2008 Locations). The numbers per trap are about 1/2 of what they were at this date in 2007, due evidently to the continuing cool and wet weather in the region. So far we have not detected virus in any of the aphids collected. Sweep net samples at 25 sites (all those shown on the Locations map), have collected no or few aphids at many sites. Maximum numbers observed are 1 aphid per sweep.

The project will receive a boost in the form of a generous grant from the USDA-CSREES RAMP (Risk Assessment and Mediation Program). This grant will arrive in the fall of 2008 and allow us to continue to develop the risk forecasting system. It also includes funding to improve aphid management decision making, assess methods for pea aphid control and accelerate breeding efforts to provide virus-resistant varieties for the Palouse and elsewhere. A full description of the objectives of this proposal is forthcoming. We will be holding meetings with producers to seek input and report on the activities of this project.