Potato Psyllid update in the Columbia Basin
Silvia I. Rondon
Oregon State University, Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center,
Irrigated Agricultural Entomology Program
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OSU-HAREC IAEP Research and Extension Program
Overwintering studies
Sampling techniques
Statewide sampling program; sentinel plots
Population dynamics of psyllids in the lower Columbia Basin
Greenhouse insecticide and transmission trials
Chemical trials (Ruben Marchosky, OSU-HAREC-IAEP)
Storage and screenhouse trials
Psyllid workshops – Insect ID Service (Carol Mils, OSU-HAREC-IAEP)
Overwintering and Monitoring
Alex Murphy, Postdoctoral Research Scholar, OSU-HAREC IAEP
Overwintering
 A survey of Solanum dulcamara (bittersweet nightshade) revealed
overwintering populations of potato psyllid in the lower Columbia Basin.
 Adults were first detected on 22 March, 2012.
 Eggs of the first spring generation were noted on 9 April, 2012.
 Eggs collected from the field were reared in the lab on potatoes to confirm
the identification as potato psyllid.
 The mild winter warrants sampling this winter as well.
Help us !!!! Please contact us if you have bittersweet nightshade that you would
like sampled: 541-567-6337 Silvia Rondon and/or Alex Murphy.
Monitoring
We have several ongoing psyllid monitoring studies:
 Assessment of the efficacy of different sticky
cards.
 Assessment of the locality of a sticky card in
the field.
 Area wide insect monitoring survey.
 Sentinel plots for psyllid detection.
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As of today (6/27/12), psyllids have been detected in very small numbers on
commercial fields and experimental plots in the lower Columbia Basin.
Psyllid indentification
Watch for “look-alikes” !!!
Potato Psyllid
Look-alikes
More Information
http://cropandsoil.oregonstate.edu/entomology_lab/index.htm
http://entomology.oregonstate.edu/personnel/rondon-silvia
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/hermiston/
http://oregonstate.edu/potatoes/ipm/index.htm
http://potatoes.com/IPM-Home.cfm
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From winter to summer: should we expect record insect outbreaks?
Silvia Rondon
ID Guide: Potato Tuberworm (PTW)
The potato tubermoth or “potato tuberworm”. Males captured can
be recognized by the structure Credits. ODA
Potato tuberworm larva (less than 1/2 inch long. Notice dark collar
behind the head). Credits. A. Jensen, WSPC
Potato tubermoth female (left; “X” mark); male (right; series of straight
dots). Credits. S.I. Rondon, OSU
Tuber damage caused by the potato tuberworm. Credits. S.I.
Rondon, OSU
Trapping: Statewide Survey Protocol
Trap design Delta Trap (Trece Pherocon VI) with quick change sticky insert.
Location of traps Edge of the field. Hang no higher than 12” above the crop
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canopy or bare ground. Keep area around traps free of weeds.
Stand High strength PVC-pipe for stands, and heavy aluminum wire 30” as
extension. Extra light wire is needed to hook the delta trap.
Suppliers Traps (but not holders) and pheromones (International lures) are
obtained from Trece Inc. Phone (918) 785-3061 or at www.TRECE.com.
When to start? Detection survey July 1 to at least October 15.
Frequency Check traps once a week; change insert once a week and lure once a
month.
How many traps? Detection Survey 1 trap per potato area.
Non-Chemical Control Methods
Cull Piles and Volunteer Potatoes. PTW thrives on potatoes. Elimination of cull
potatoes and piles and control of volunteer potatoes will reduce your exposure to
PTW populations.
Irrigation. During mid to late season, apply irrigation water daily or often enough
to keep the soil surface moist. Research in other areas of the world has shown
that tuber infestations are greater when the soil is dry. Irrigating with 0.10 inches
daily from vine kill to harvest decreased PTW damage and did not significantly
increase tuber rot.
Desiccation. PTW females prefer to lay eggs on potato foliage. When potato
foliage starts to degrade and turn color, the risk of tuber infestation increases
greatly.
When should insecticides be applied for PTW? PTW tuber infestations increase
as the amount of potato foliage in the canopy decreases. It is recommended that
PTW control programs start no later than 4 weeks prior to desiccation/harvest.
Chemical Controls
Products that have been found to be effective for control of PTW in Washington
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and Oregon – based on testing in 2004 and 2006. All rates are in formulated
product per acre. Unless otherwise noted, the products discussed in this section
were found to reduce the incidence of PTW larvae in the foliage to close to zero in
a moderate pressure situation or significantly reduce larval populations in a high
pressure situation. All treatments began approximately four to six weeks before
desiccation.
 Rimon 0.83EC. Rimon applied at 9 and 12 oz provided effective control of
PTW when applied at a 10 day interval by ground and chemigation.
 Avaunt. Avaunt was effective when applied by ground and chemigation at 7
day intervals at 3 and 5 oz. Avaunt applied by chemigation at desiccation
and 7 days after desiccation was effective at reducing tuber infestation.
 Agri-Mek. Agri-Mek was effective when applied by ground at 7 day
intervals at 10 oz.
 Asana. Asana was effective at 4 and 8 oz when applied by ground and
chemigation at 7 to 10 day intervals. There is no indication that the higher
rate is more effective.
 Lannate. Lannate applied by ground and chemigation at 1 and 2 pints at 5
day intervals was effective at controlling PTW.
 Imidan. Imidan at 1.3 and 2.5 pints applied by ground at 10-day intervals
was effective against PTW.
 Success. Success was effective at 6 oz when applied by ground at a 7 day
interval.
 Leverage. Leverage applied by ground and chemigation at 10 day intervals
at 3.75 oz was effective against PTW.
 Baythroid. @ 1.5 ounces was effective when applied by chemigation at 10day intervals.
 Hero. Hero was effective at 8 oz/a at 10 day intervals when applied by
ground
 Assail. Based on the results of research trials in 2005, Assail is not
recommended for PTW; however use of the product against other insect
pests may reduce PTW populations.
 Penncap M. Penncap M applied at 4 pints at 10 day intervals by ground was
effective against PTW.
 Dipel (Bacillus thuringiensis). Dipel at 1 pound per acre applied by ground
in rotation with Entrust at 3 ounces per acre at 10-day intervals was
effective in controlling PTW. Entrust was applied first and third and Dipel
was applied second and fourth.
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 Battalion. Battalion applied at 12.8 ounces per acre at 10 day intervals by
ground and chemigation was effective in controlling PTW.
 Aza Direct. Aza Direct applied at 2 pints per acre at 10 day intervals by
ground significantly reduced PTW populations.
For more information contact Silvia Rondon [email protected]
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