This work aimed to determine the population fluctuation of aphid species which occur in potato crop (Solanum tuberosum L.) at winter planting in two successive years (1997-1998). It was carried out in Alfenas region (South of Minas Gerais state), from July to September, 1997 (planting I) and August to September, 1998 (planting II). Plants were weekly sampled by collecting leaves with aphids. The species Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) were collected at planting I, both reaching peak population on the 2nd week of August, 1997; at planting II only M. persicae was collected, and reached its maximum number of individuals on the 3rd week of September, 1998. The population of M. persicae showed a correlation with rainfall and with the plant phenology (number of leaflets/leaf) in both potato winter planting. The absence of rain in the region contributed to regulate the number of aphids at potato winter planting II.
Insecta; phenology; abiotic factors; survey
