Overall abundance of potato psyllids in Idaho potato fields last week continued to decline, with 43 psyllids captured (compared to 71 the previous week) across the Treasure and Magic Valleys. Psyllids were captured last week from several fields in Ada and Canyon counties, as well as from a few different sites in Elmore and Twin Falls counties. University of Idaho researchers are still waiting on a shipment of sticky cards from their “light” sites (approximately 20 fields) in Cassia and Minidoka counties.
Zero psyllids from last week tested positive for liberibacter (Lso), the bacterium that causes zebra chip.
University of Idaho extension specialists continue to urge growers and crop consultants to have an IPM program in place and to supplement the monitoring program with their own local monitoring.
Growers can consult the UI Extension website for more information, including online spreadsheets that show details of the psyllid captures in potato fields over the season. Updates to these spreadsheets may occur throughout the week as Lso testing results come in.