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The Colorado
Potato Beetle is the most important insect defoliator of potato
in the United States. Without control, Colorado potato beetle adults
and larvae can completely defoliate potatoes and cause total crop
loss. Currently, control of this insect in all Idaho potato production
areas is dependent on synthetic insecticides and resistance is a
major concern in its effective long term management. Surveys conducted
throughout the state reveal low levels of insecticide resistance
in Colorado potato beetle populations collected from all areas,
and reports of localized control failure have been steadily increasing.
A Colorado Potato
Beetle Insecticide Resistance Test Kit has been developed that is
appropriate for evaluating Idaho beetle populations to assess their
resistance status and the potential for control failures. The kit
incorporates a representative compound for each of the major insecticide
classes registered for use on potatoes, including carbamates, chlorinated
hydrocarbons, organophosphates, and synthetic pyrethroids. The kit
is designed for on-farm use by growers, consultants, extension agents
and others involved in potato production. The results are obtained
within 24 hours and can be used to make informed decisions about
which insecticide to use in order to not exacerbate resistance or
risk control failure. Wide use of the kit can save money for producers
by eliminating ineffective insecticide applications and greatly
slow the development of broad spectrum insecticide resistance in
Idaho that has threatened potato production in other areas of the
United States.
For more information
contact: Thomas M.
Mowry
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