WATCH OUT beetle’s about ... the surge to summer temperatures has coincided with first pod set in many winter bean crops, triggering ideal conditions for bruchid beetle attacks. 

Growers are advised to be highly alert for beetle activity and treat crops accordingly and Syngenta’s BruchidCast is now issuing localised advance warning of forecast conditions conducive to the beetle’s breeding activity, giving growers the chance to intervene before damaging egg laying occurs. 

Bruchid larvae feed on developing beans in pods, resulting in yield loss and low-value damaged beans.

Becky Howard, of PGRO, said growers had made significant advances in recent years to reduce the incidence of bruchid damage, and the BruchidCast integral to helping with timing of insecticide use, such as Hallmark Zeon.

“Last year, there was an increase in recorded levels of bean damage, up to levels last seen in 2012,” she said. “That was possibly down to growers’ perceived low risk in the dull conditions, when temperatures were actually plenty warm enough for the beetles.”

“It really reinforced the value of the forecasting service and the need for growers to take heed of the warnings,” she added. 

While crops in the south have been most at risk, Scottish temperatures are expected to rise sufficiently from this week to put crops at potential risk.