An aphicide has been granted an emergency authorisation to help oilseed rape growers prevent the spread of a yield-sapping viral disease.

Teppeki (flonicamid), an aphicide from Belchim Crop Protection, was approved by Chemicals Regulation Directorate for the control of the peach potato aphid (Myzus persicae) in oilseed rape.

Since the ban on neonicotinoid seed treatments, the threat of turnip yellows virus (TuYV) has increased, as the existing options available for control of the peach potato aphid are very limited.

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For those growers who have applied a neonicotinoid foliar spray at the cotyledon crop stage for flea beetle control, the options are further restricted as this spray is too early for aphid control, said Simon Leak, marketing and development manager for Belchim.

“And as only one neonicotinoid application is allowed in the autumn on oilseed rape, this rules out any subsequent spray for aphid control later on,” he explained.

“As Myzus persicae are resistant to all pyrethroids there are now very few options remaining for aphid control and TuYV reduction in the crop. So the addition of Teppeki to the armoury will be welcomed by both growers and agronomists.”