Farmer-led aphid monitoring could slash pesticide use 25 May 2021 | by FarmingUK Team | Arable, News As part of the study, farmers were equipped with yellow sticky traps, mounted horizontally just above the crop Farmer-led aphid monitoring could help farming businesses reduce their pesticide use in tackling barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). A new study has concluded that a simple field-based monitoring system, run by farmers, could help reduce the use of insecticide to tackle the cereals disease. BYDV is the most economically important virus disease of cereal crops, with the potential to reduce yields by 30% in wheat and 75% in barley. The virus is transmitted by cereal aphids that fly into the crop, with yields being most reduced by autumn infestations.