Here are some of the major pests of potato, along with their scientific names, families, damaging stage, nature of damage, oviposition and pupation site, and management strategies:
1. Colorado Potato Beetle
Scientific name: Leptinotarsa decemlineata
Family: Chrysomelidae
Damaging stage: Larvae and Adults
Nature of damage: Feeding damage to leaves and stems, leading to reduced plant growth and yield
Oviposition and pupation site: Eggs are laid on the underside of leaves, while pupation occurs in the soil
Management: Crop rotation, planting early or late in the season, use of insecticides, handpicking and crushing of beetles and larvae
2. Potato Aphid
Scientific name: Macrosiphum euphorbiae
Family: Aphididae
Damaging stage: Adults and Nymphs
Nature of damage: Feeding damage to leaves and stems, leading to yellowing, stunted growth and reduced yield; can also transmit viral diseases
Oviposition and pupation site: Nymphs and adults feed on the undersides of leaves
Management: Use of insecticides, planting resistant varieties, use of natural enemies such as ladybugs and lacewings
3. Potato Tuber Moth
Scientific name: Phthorimaea operculella
Family: Gelechiidae
Damaging stage: Larvae
Nature of damage: Feeding damage to tubers, leading to rotting and reduced storage life
Oviposition and pupation site: Eggs are laid on leaves and stems, while pupation occurs within the infested tubers
Management: Use of pheromone traps, crop rotation, planting early or late in the season, use of insecticides, proper storage of harvested tubers
4. Wireworms
Scientific name: Various species, including Agriotes spp. and Limonius spp.
Family: Elateridae
Damaging stage: Larvae
Nature of damage: Feeding damage to tubers and roots, leading to reduced growth and yield
Oviposition and pupation site: Eggs are laid in soil, while pupation occurs within the soil
Management: Crop rotation, use of insecticides, tillage practices that expose wireworms to predators and adverse environmental conditions
5. White Grubs
Scientific name: Various species, including Phyllophaga spp. and Cyclocephala spp.
Family: Scarabaeidae
Damaging stage: Larvae
Nature of damage: Feeding damage to roots, leading to reduced growth and yield
Oviposition and pupation site: Eggs are laid in soil, while pupation occurs within the soil
Management: Crop rotation, use of insecticides, tillage practices that expose grubs to predators and adverse environmental conditions, use of entomopathogenic nematodes
These are just a few examples of the many pests that can affect potato crops. Effective pest management often involves a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical methods, tailored to the specific pest and local growing conditions.
