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Dr. Michael Gaffney, a Research Entomologist in Teagasc, joined Michael Hennessy on this week\u2019s Tillage Edge podcast to discuss aphid control and BYDV. \n\nMichael explained that even though there is some infection initially from winged aphids, only a small proportion of the problematic aphids (Grain aphid and Bird Cherry Oat aphid) actually carry the virus. It\u2019s the offspring of these aphids which can spread more virus within the crop. \n\nEnvironmental factors such as temperature, wind and rain can affect how fast aphids reproduce and these factors dictate when control measures are best used.\n\nMichael also discussed insecticide resistance and even though there is pyrethroid resistance across the country, pyrethroids will work well in most cases. He stresses the need for constant field walking to observe both aphid numbers and also species type. \n\nFor more episodes and information from the Tillage Edge podcast go to\nhttps://www.teagasc.ie/crops/crops/the-tillage-edge-podcast/