Two new potato alerts were recently posted to PNWPestAlert.net in regards to potato psyllids and zebra chip disease.
Erik Wenninger, Nora Olsen, Phil Nolte, Mike Thornton and Alex Karasev, in cooperation from Jeff Miller and Andy Jensen, are monitoring potato fields in Idaho for potato psyllids and Liberibacter, the bacterium that causes zebra chip (ZC).
This project, funded by the Idaho Potato Commission, includes a total of about 14 grower fields across the Treasure Valley, Magic Valley and eastern Idaho. We began taking weekly samples during the week of May 21. Sampling efforts include yellow sticky traps (for adults), leaf samples (for nymphs) and vacuum samples (for adults; the vacuum sampler is a leaf blower with a vacuum attachment and a net to capture insects removed from potato foliage).
So far no potato psyllids have been observed in any of our samples. We are only able to cover so much acreage in our sampling efforts, so we encourage all growers and crop consultants to conduct sampling as well. Photographs and key diagnostic characters of the different life stages of potato psyllids can be found at http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/. You also may take samples to your local University of Idaho R & E Center to confirm identifications.
We will continue to provide periodic updates of our monitoring efforts, and we will send out an immediate notification upon detection of any potato psyllids in potato. Potato psyllids also will be tested for presence of the ZC bacterium.
A second alert:
This issue answers a number of questions many of you have about zebra chip (ZC) and potato psyllid. In this issue: answers to several of the many good questions we received during the psyllid workshops held throughout the region, some information on psyllid overwintering, something about insecticide tests from WSPC-funded work in Texas, and some detailed information and photos to help with psyllid monitoring using yellow sticky cards (the latter will also be posted on the website, www.nwpotatoresearch.com).
To view the full alerts, and to download any attached files, go to www.pnwpestalert.net.