North Dakota State University’s extension service has declared a potato psyllid alert in North Dakota and Minnesota potato fields. The pests have been spotted in western and central North Dakota, though the populations have not yet become widespread.
Potato psyllids vector the Liberibacter (Lso) bacterium that causes zebra chip disease. But psyllids that are not infectious with zebra chip Liberibacter can still damage potatoes. When they feed, they inject toxins, causing purple leaves, reduced tuber number and size, malformed tubers and chaining tubers. The most dramatic impact can occur when plants have been infected before tuber set.
To find psyllids, growers and researchers can use a sweep net, sticky traps or leaf samples. Sticky traps should be placed at the edge of a field to monitor colonizing adults. If they’re found in a field, NDSU Extension recommends using an effective foliar insecticide.
Click here for more information regarding potato psyllid management in Minnesota and North Dakota.
Source: AgWeek