For Canadian potato growers, a new production year begins with planting. From the Maritime to the Prairie potato growing regions, growers are planning to manage any obstacle to maximizing yield and quality. Insect pressures can vary from year to year and region to region, but field scouting and an insect management program starting early helps reduce insect pressure later in the growing season.
The spring, during crop establishment, is an important time to begin scouting for signs of insect pest populations, and how they’re distributed in the field. Potato plants typically break ground in late May or early June, making that a critical time to watch for pests like Colorado potato beetle (CPB) and, later in the season, European corn borer (ECB).
Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is a significant pest that can defoliate the plant entirely, causing serious yield losses or plant death if not treated. With their bright yellow and black striped shells, adult CPB are easy to spot. Larvae hatch from the eggs and feed upon new foliage at the crown of the plant. The larvae and, in some cases, adults can cause significant damage to the crop.
CPB overwinter as adults and emerge in the spring at the time the potato plant breaks the soil surface. It is recommended that growers begin scouting for CPB adults, eggs, small larvae (first and second instars), and large larvae (third and fourth instars) in late May-June (at ground crack). To check for CPB, scan the plants and soil for any live adults. Next, examine the lower leaves of plants for clusters of bright yellow-orange, waxy eggs. Keep track of the number of adults and egg masses on a specific number of plants, as this will aid in determining threshold levels and when to begin controlling the pest.
European corn borer (ECB) typically is a problem later in the season. Larvae of ECB feed on a variety of crops including potatoes. Potatoes are a favored crop for the first generation of ECB moths, which lay eggs from mid- to late June depending on the region. The first signs of an ECB infestation include rolled, green leaves at the top of the potato plant. This pest can be managed with proactive scouting and the use of effective insecticides applied at the correct timing.
Agronomists stress the importance of scouting, particularly in potato crops. Scouting can help determine threshold levels, so growers can make timely management decisions. If it’s determined that an insecticide treatment is needed, rotating chemical groups of different modes of action in season will help maintain the effectiveness of the products that are at a growers’ disposal.
RIMON® Insecticide offers potato growers a reliable tool for control of Colorado potato beetle and European corn borer. Applications can be made prior to or at egg hatch to control each generation of insect larvae. RIMON is an insect growth regulator (IGR), IRAC Group 15 mode of action that must be absorbed by eggs or ingested by insect larvae to be fully effective. Unlike most conventional insecticides, RIMON works by disrupting cuticle formation and deposition, making it an ideal choice for resistance management programs. It is easy to use and provides 10 to 14 days of insect control and foliage protection. It’s an excellent choice when rotating insecticide mode of action to control insect pests.
