Potato psyllids have not been identified in Idaho potato fields yet. However, the first adults have been observed in potato fields in the Columbia Basin (see message below). We will continue to keep you updated as to what we are finding with the psyllid trapping project.
From Silvia Rondon (Oregon State University), dated June 12, 2012:
"We found our first psyllid in a commercial field in the Irrigon, Ore., area 6/11/12. This was next to our trap 16 (check Potato Update). Today we found our second psyllid from a commercial field in the Hermiston area. The first field was less than a mile from the Columbia River and the second one around 7 miles from the river. We are testing them as I write this email. I went with my crew today to those fields again today to collect more and see what we find."
UPDATE:
1. A single potato psyllid was found in each of two commercial fields in Oregon (Irrigon, OR on June 11 and Hermiston, OR on June 13). Both tested negative for Liberibacter, the pathogen that causes ZC. Numbers of potato psyllids in fields are very low. We suggest that scouting programs in Idaho be intensified, and that IPM programs be ready.
2. Surveys of emerged potato volunteers by Oregon State University in the Columbia Basin have reported ZC symptomatic plants that have tested positive for Liberibacter. Volunteers could be a source of the bacterium and efforts should be used to reduce volunteer populations in rotational crops. Closely monitor volunteers and submit any symptomatic plants for further analysis.
3. Potato psyllids were recently found on greenhouse-grown plants at garden centers in Boise and Twin Falls, ID. So far these psyllids have tested negative for Liberibacter. Potato psyllids are a difficult pest to manage in the greenhouse and have a broad host range, including common garden center plants like tomatoes and peppers, so these findings are not surprising. Potato psyllids have almost certainly occurred in greenhouses and garden centers in the PNW for many years. The relative importance of field infestations in the PNW originating from infested garden center plants, overwintering populations on weed hosts, and immigration from southern overwintering sites remains to be explored.
4. No potato psyllids have been found on potatoes in Idaho so far...
The take home message from all of these findings is that scouting programs for potato psyllids should be intensified, and IPM programs should be in place. Refer to the following sites for guidance on scouting and IPM programs for potato psyllids:
http://potatoes.com/IPMStuff/PDFs/Idaho%20recommendations%20%202012%20final.pdf
http://www.potatoes.com/pdfs/PotatoPsyllid.pdf
SOURCE: Jeff Miller, Miller Research