How do you protect potatoes from insects? There are several methods, but one is actually very effective.
When it comes to the Colorado potato beetle, it is important to act quickly, as it has a fast reproduction rate and its larvae are very voracious. The potato, a popular plant in the home garden, is unfortunately one of many nightshade plants that provide an ideal food source for the attractive but voracious beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata). Other plants in this family that the beetle targets are tomatoes and peppers. The adult form of this insect is usually between 10 and 12 mm long and has a yellow body with a head and corset with black spots. The insect’s wing coverts are marked with five straight black lines. The insect’s larva is orange-red and has two rows of black dots on the sides. Native to the United States, this insect arrived in Europe in the 1920s and quickly caused significant damage to crops in the areas it invaded. The resulting famines were so severe that special laws were passed in France and England to strengthen the fight and the restriction of trade in the affected products. Despite these efforts, the control methods available at the time were inadequate and the insect quickly spread across the continent, a problem that was exacerbated by the World War that followed.
The First Signs of Beetle-Infested Potatoes
After overwintering in the ground as an adult, the colored beetle hatches in the warmer months, usually in May. It then goes in search of host plants on which it can lay its eggs. The leaves of these plants are soon eaten by the voracious larvae, which hatch from 700 to 2,000 eggs laid by the beetle. In just 20-25 days, a new generation of adult beetles emerges that can continue to lay eggs and restart the life cycle. This cycle repeats between June and September, resulting in 2-3 generations per year, which can cause significant damage even with late harvests.
Identifying the Colorado potato beetle is a simple task. Both adults and larvae are found in large colonies that can eat significant portions of the plant’s foliage, ultimately leading to skeletonization of the plant. The larvae are the main culprits of this damage by inexorably consuming the leaves, flowers and fruits of the plant.
Protecting potatoes from insects
The most important method to prevent Dorifora is to implement a comprehensive crop rotation strategy. Unfortunately, on a small scale, such as a family garden, this approach may not produce significant results. The adult beetle can easily reach potatoes if it moves even a few meters. One possible approach to protecting potatoes from beetles is the use of “bait plants.” In this tactic, some potato plants are grown in a miniature greenhouse, which are then transplanted in early May. These plants act as a magnet for adult pests that hibernate, so it’s easy to catch and get rid of them before they have a chance to attack the plants we want to protect. One method to prevent the arrival of the Doryphora beetle is to remove weeds from the area. This is because many weeds act as hosts for the pest. Preferred weeds for the insect include Datura stramonium, Atropa belladonna, Solanum dulcamara, Hyoscyamus niger, as well as ornamental plants such as Aspidistra lanceolata and tulips. Removing these plants from the garden and surrounding area greatly reduces the likelihood of Doryphora infestation later on.
The use of approved insecticides for organic farming
When it comes to infestation, the use of insecticides is necessary. However, it is important to avoid using broad-spectrum products, as they eliminate not only the Colorado potato beetle, but also its natural enemies. The optimal time to intervene is when the first larvae appear, as they are more destructive than adults and are the basis for future generations. There are several ways to consider this approach. Organic farming allows the use of insecticides based on bacilli that clog the digestive tract of insects.
To ensure optimal effectiveness of these products, it is important to moisten the area well and reapply them after rain. It should be noted that these products are approved for use in organic farming. Neem oil, which contains azadirachtin, has several benefits. It has the ability to affect plants by both ingestion and contact, and can penetrate plant tissues and exhibit moderate systemic effects when applied to the roots. In addition, it has a repellent effect and discourages feeding and can fight aphids in case of infestation. In addition, this solution is approved for use in organic farming. Thanks to its high system, acetamiprid is evenly distributed throughout the plant after application. As a result, it is able to protect the plant from the effects of rain and ensure that the treatment is maintained for several weeks. Acetamiprid works by ingestion, fights larvae and regulates the presence of aphids.
