Fifteen years of pea aphid and legume virus monitoring in the Palouse: Lessons learned and ways forward

Pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) is a worldwide pest of leguminous crops, causing direct injury and serving as a vector of numerous plant viruses. In the Palouse region of Idaho and Washington, USA, the aphid has been a chronic pest of pulse crops and vector of Pea enation mosaic virus, Bean leafroll virus, and Pea streak virus. Virus outbreaks have been sporadically severe in the region for more than 30 years. The Legume Virus Project, established in 2007, provides decision supports and seasonal monitoring of pea aphids and viruses in the Palouse region. Aphids are monitored with a network of field-side pan traps and the data are provided on a weekly basis on a project website. Aphids are tested for viruses and those results are also posted. The information is consulted by producers and pest managers. Over 15 years, 888 traps (296 sites) have been deployed and serviced a total of 4661 times, generating an extensive record of aphid population prevalence and dynamics. The data reveal high inter-and intra-year variation in aphids and viruses, potentially affected by climate and landscape factors, and could be used for improving aphid and virus risk forecasting. Acquiring such valuable long-term pest data is challenging because of the need for continued funding and managing other logistics. The system is being maintained and expanded to include monitoring other emerging pests, and there are plans to extend its footprint to adjacent pea growing regions where pea aphids and viruses are becoming more prevalent.