Aphids (Aphididae, Hemiptera) in seed potato

Aphids (Aphididae, Hemiptera) are efficient vectors of plant viruses and a significant problem in potato growing. Production of healthy seed potato is possible if the number of aphids is reduced, as well as their ability to come into contact with the plant and transfer the virus. Research related to the presence and abundance of aphid species in different parts of Serbia was carried out on 30 sites in four years: 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Yellow water traps were placed in potato crop immediately after potato emergence. Samples were taken once per week until the drying of the above-ground mass. Over 11,500 specimens were collected and a total of 106 different taxa of aphids were identified. This publication analyses vector pressures for two most important potato viruses (PVY and PLRV) for different localities. The best conditions for the production of healthy seed potato exist on the Golija mountain, at altitudes above 1100 m, in comparison to other tested sites. The pressure of vectors on the mountain is low and so is the risk of potato plants viral infection because of late potato planting and low aphid occurrence.