Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Effect of Simulated Rainfall on the Control
of Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleoptera:
Chrysomelidae) and Potato Leafhopper
(Homoptera: Cicadellidae) with At-Plant
Applications of Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam
or Dinotefuran on Potatoes in Laboratory
and Field Trials
Gerald M. Ghidiu, Erin M. Hitchner and Melvin R. Henninger
Additional information is available at the end of the chapter
http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/55331
1. Introduction
The Colorado potato beetle,
Leptinotarsa decemlineata
(Say) [Order Coleoptera] (CPB), is
considered the most important pest of potatoes throughout the northeastern and mid-
Atlantic regions of the United States [1]. Both larval and adult CPB feed on potato foliage,
stems, and flowers, which can severely defoliate plants, significantly reducing yields [2].
Growers rely on insectidicides to control CPB in the field but it has developed resistance to
52 different compounds used against it, which includes all major insecticide classes [3].
Another economically important insect pest of potatoes is the potato leafhopper,
Empoasca
fabae
(Harris) [Order Homoptera] (PLH), a sap-feeding insect that causes damage known as
“hopper burn” [4]. Feeding results in curling, stunting, yellowing and eventual browning of
the potato foliage, and even low numbers of leafhoppers can cause significant yield losses
[4, 5]. The potato leafhopper overwinters in the southern US and migrates northward on
wind currents [6,7], typically arriving in the northeast United States in mid- to late May or
early June each year.
Currently throughout the potato-producing regions of the United States, the neonicotinoid
class of insecticides, which includes dinotefuran, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, is widely
