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Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Posted on: September 24, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
U-Idaho ZC and potato psyllid update – 21 Sep 2012
Potato psyllids continue to be trapped on yellow sticky cards across several sites being monitored by the University of Idaho in the Magic Valley. Of the remaining sites that have not undergone vine kill, numbers of adults were similar to or higher than during the previous three weeks. Nymphs and/or eggs were found at three sites in the Magic Valley; 44, 58, and 7 eggs per 100 leaf samples were found at sites 3, 4, and 5, respectively (see below), and 40, 23, and 0 nymphs per 100 leaf samples were found at sites 3, 4, and 5, respectively (see below). All but one site has now undergone vine kill. Only site 2 (in Jerome County) will be monitored next week. Reports of liberibacter incidence in samples will continue to be reported as the numbers come in. See the link below to view a table that details where (by county) and when potato psyllids and liberibacter have been found so far during this season in Idaho.
Tubers from the Kimberly R&E Center (site 7, below) were harvested today and will be evaluated for development of ZC symptoms over the storage season.
Refer to the sites below for guidance on scouting and IPM programs for potato psyllids and to view trap captures in Idaho so far over the season.
» http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
» http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/30058/pnw633.pdf
Idaho Association of Plant Protection
Announcements All Locations
Posted on: September 19, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
Click on the pdf below for information about a call for papers for the Idaho Association of Plant Protection in Jerome, Idaho on November 7 and 8, 2012.
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Posted on: September 14, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
U-Idaho ZC and potato psyllid update – 14 Sep 2012
Potato psyllids continue to be found on yellow sticky cards across several sites being monitored by the University of Idaho in the Magic Valley. For most sites, numbers of adults were similar to the previous two weeks. Nymphs continue to be found at two sites, and eggs were found on three sites; 1, 21, and 97 eggs were sampled from sites 2, 3, and 4, respectively, across 100 leaf samples at each site. Samples may be taken one more week on remaining Magic Valley sites before vine kill. No potato psyllids were found this week in the UI sampling network in western or eastern Idaho, and only one site (in Power County) will be sampled next week (vine kill has occurred on all other sites). A portion of the psyllids collected in previous weeks continues to test positive for liberibacter, the causal agent of ZC. See the link below to view a table that details where (by county) and when potato psyllids and liberibacter have been found so far during this season in Idaho.
Refer to the sites below for guidance on scouting and IPM programs for potato psyllids and to view trap captures in Idaho so far over the season.
» http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
» http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/30058/pnw633.pdf
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Posted on: September 10, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
U-Idaho ZC and potato psyllid update – 7 Sep 2012
Potato psyllids continue to be found on yellow sticky cards across several sites being monitored by the University of Idaho. Two sites (one in Twin Falls County and one in Jerome County) continue to show high numbers relative to other sites and to earlier weeks. Numbers are also up slightly at the Kimberly R&E Center. Nymphs were found in larger numbers this week, particular at the site in Gooding County. Eggs also were found in larger numbers this week: 33, 2, 22, and 35 eggs were found among each of the 100 leaf samples taken from sites 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
No potato psyllids were found this week in the UI sampling network in western or eastern Idaho. A portion of the psyllids collected in previous weeks continues to test positive for liberibacter, the causal agent of ZC. See the link below to view a table that details where (by county) and when potato psyllids and liberibacter have been found so far during this season in Idaho.
Vine kill will occur soon on most fields in the Magic Valley, so sampling will continue for no more than 1-2 weeks for most sites.
Refer to the sites below for guidance on scouting and IPM programs for potato psyllids and to view trap captures in Idaho so far over the season.
» http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
» http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/30058/pnw633.pdf
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Posted on: August 31, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
U-Idaho ZC and potato psyllid update – 31 Aug 2012
Potato psyllids continue to be found on yellow sticky cards across several sites being monitored by the University of Idaho. Two sites (one in Twin Falls County and one in Jerome County) continue to show relatively high numbers compared to the previous week. For the first time this year, nymphs and eggs were found in UI-sampled fields (one nymph in each of two fields and six eggs in one of these fields). One potato psyllid was found in the UI sampling network in Canyon County this week (the second of the year; some psyllids had been found in this county by crop consultants over much of the summer). No potato psyllids have been found in eastern Idaho since the week of July 23. A portion of the psyllids collected in previous weeks continues to test positive for liberibacter, the causal agent of ZC. See the link below to view a table that details where (by county) and when potato psyllids and liberibacter have been found so far during this season in Idaho.
Continued scouting for psyllids and disease symptoms are strongly encouraged. Refer to the sites below for guidance on scouting and IPM programs for potato psyllids and to view trap captures in Idaho so far over the season.
» http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
» http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/30058/pnw633.pdf
2013 Idaho Potato Conference Input
Potato All Locations
Posted on: August 28, 2012 by Nora Olsen
This the first call for topics for the 2013 Idaho Potato Conference that will take place in Pocatello, ID on January 23rd and 24th.
Please provide your ideas for potential workshops and presentations for this year's conference to Nora Olsen (norao@uidaho.edu) or Mike Thornton (miket@uidaho.edu) by September 26th so that we can put together a preliminary list for the program planning meeting.
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Posted on: August 24, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
U-Idaho ZC and potato psyllid update – 24 Aug 2012
Potato psyllids continue to be found on yellow sticky cards across several sites being monitored by the University of Idaho. Across most sites, numbers are more or less similar to last week. Two sites (one in Twin Falls County and one in Jerome County) showed relatively high numbers compared to the previous week. For the first time this year, a potato psyllid was found in the UI sampling network in Canyon County (psyllids had previously been found in this county by crop consultants). No potato psyllids have been found in eastern Idaho since the week of July 23. Crop consultants submitted yellow sticky card samples this week with potato psyllids from several sites in Elmore County and one site in Twin Falls County. A portion of the psyllids collected in previous weeks continues to test positive for liberibacter, the causal agent of ZC. See below to view a table that details where (by county) and when potato psyllids have been found so far during this season in Idaho.
We continue to encourage vigorous scouting efforts. We suggest ground-rigging along edges of fields if possible to ensure adequate coverage of insecticides along field edges. Refer to the sites below for guidance on scouting and IPM programs for potato psyllids and to view trap captures in Idaho so far over the season.
» http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
» http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/30058/pnw633.pdf
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Posted on: August 19, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
U-Idaho ZC and potato psyllid update – 17 Aug 2012
Potato psyllids continue to be found across several sites being monitored by the University of Idaho. Numbers are similar to last week. Across the UI sites, psyllids have been found primarily in Magic Valley fields; however, crop consultants have submitted potato psyllid samples from Canyon and Elmore counties. Some of the psyllids found in previous weeks continue to test positive for liberibacter, the causal agent of ZC. The three psyllids that were found in Bonneville county all tested negative, though.
See below to view a table that details where (by county) and when potato psyllids have been found so far during this season in Idaho.
We continue to encourage vigorous scouting efforts. Refer to the sites below for guidance on scouting and IPM programs for potato psyllids and to view trap captures in Idaho so far over the season.
» http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
» http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/30058/pnw633.pdf
Japanese Beetle
Announcements Treasure Valley - Idaho
Japanese Beetle
Posted on: August 16, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
The pdf below contains information about the Japanese Beetle, a new invasive species recently detected in Ada and Kootenai Counties.
Miller Research Pest Managment Field Day
Potato All Locations
Posted on: August 13, 2012 by Jeff Miller
This is a reminder for the Miller Research Pest Management Field Day which will be held Wednesday of this week from 9:30 to noon (please see the attached flier for more details). We have received two ISDA pesticide recertification credits for the meeting. Thank you to everyone who has replied. If you are planning on attending, but have not replied, please let us know ASAP for planning purposes. There is no cost to attend.
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Posted on: August 10, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
U-Idaho ZC and potato psyllid update – 9 Aug 2012
Potato psyllids continue to be found across several sites being monitored by the University of Idaho. Numbers are similar to last week. Psyllids this week were only found on sticky cards at sites in the Magic Valley. We still have yet to find immature potato psyllids on leaf samples taken from potato fields. Of the psyllids found in previous weeks, a portion was positive for liberibacter, the causal agent of ZC. See the U-Idaho site below to view a table that details where (by county) and when potato psyllids have been found so far during this season in Idaho.
Plants with ZC symptoms have been collected or reported from several locations, but we are awaiting confirmation with PCR results. Thus far, zebra chip in potato plants has been confirmed by PCR (molecular testing) at three locations in Twin Falls County (including the Kimberly R&E Center) and one location in Minidoka County.
We continue to encourage vigorous scouting efforts. Refer to the sites below for guidance on scouting and IPM programs (including insecticide recommendations) for potato psyllids.
» http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
» http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/30058/pnw633.pdf
Fusarium Head Blight in WHeat and Barley
Small Grains All Locations
Fusarium Head Blight
Posted on: August 8, 2012 by Juliet Marshall
Please be aware that there are increasing incidences and severity of Fusarium Head Blight (FHB also called head scab or scab) in this year’s harvested grain. This disease will cause shrinkage of kernels and sometimes the development of scabby or “tombstone” kernels, which are shrunken white kernels that are covered in fungi and spores.
To reduce grain contamination from the mycotoxins associated with this disease, it is important to increase the fan speeds on your combine in order to blow out the affected kernels. This may reduce the level of toxins detectable to more safe levels, below 5 ppm.
I have attached a picture of FHB in wheat that I took west of Idaho Falls. The disease increases in severity in areas where corn is grown and is worse where small grains directly follow corn in the rotation.
I HAVE SEEN IT IN BOTH WHEAT AND BARLEY in Idaho this year.
There may be a brown discoloration of the rachis (the stem portion of the head) seen after flowering that progresses to single florets that then die and become bleached in appearance. This will vary - there may be single florets affected, or one quarter, one third of the head to the entire head bleached and diseased. Partially or totally killed heads may still have green stems, unlike what you will find with take-all or Fusarium dryland foot rot where the entire stem will be bleached. A tell-tale characteristic of this disease is the formation of orange, or pinkish or salmon-colored spores structures that form at the base of the floret at the junction of the seed to the stem. These “sporodochia” may also form at the edges and overlapping joints of the chaff. You may have FHB even without the visible presence of these orange-colored sporodochia.
Please do not mix highly contaminated grain with clean grain – this may only increase the amount of contaminated grain that will be difficult to sell.
Juliet Marshall
Associate Professor, Cereals Pathology and Agronomy
Idaho Falls R&E Center
1776 Science Drive Suite 205
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
208-529-8376 office
http://www.extension.uidaho.edu/scseidaho/
onion thrips field tour
Onion Treasure Valley - Idaho
announcement
Posted on: August 6, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
Attached is a flyer about an upcoming field tour on thrips control in onions. Tour is Wednesday, August 8, from 3:30 to 5 pm at the UI Parma R and E Center. Refreshments will be served. Click on the pdf below for more details.
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Posted on: August 3, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
U-Idaho ZC and potato psyllid update – 3 Aug 2012
Potato psyllids continue to be found across several sites being monitored by the University of Idaho. Numbers are up considerably at two sites. Sixteen potato psyllids were trapped on yellow sticky cards this week at the Kimberly R&E Center (and two psyllids were collected by vacuum sampling), and 54 potato psyllids were trapped on a grower’s field in Twin Falls County. Eight psyllids were trapped on sticky cards in a field in Jerome County, and one was trapped in another field in Twin Falls County. We have yet to find immature potato psyllids on leaf samples taken from potato fields. See the U-Idaho site below to view a table that details where (by county) and when potato psyllids have been found so far during this season in Idaho.
Thus far, zebra chip in potato plants has been confirmed by PCR (molecular testing) at three locations in Twin Falls County (including the Kimberly R&E Center) and one location in Minidoka County. Plants with ZC symptoms have been collected or reported from other locations, but we are awaiting confirmation with PCR results.
We continue to encourage vigorous scouting efforts. Refer to the sites below for guidance on scouting and IPM programs (including insecticide recommendations) for potato psyllids.
» http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
» http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/30058/pnw633.pdf
powdery mildew in sugarbeets
Sugarbeets Magic Valley
powdery mildew
Posted on: August 3, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
Powdery mildew has been positively identified by Amalgamated Sugar Company Crop Consultants in sugarbeet fields in the Magic Valley of Idaho near Filer. Based on the early disease onset a protective fungicide application is suggested as well as continued scouting to assess disease development. There are several fungicides available for use to treat powdery mildew, including sulfur dusts. Click on the pdf below for recommendations from the 2012 PNW Plant Disease handbook. Depending on the disease pressure, applications with different chemistries should be repeated every 7 to 14 days. Contact your crop consultant from the Amalgamated Sugar Company if you have questions about treatment options.
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Posted on: July 31, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
University of Idaho potato psyllid scouting update – 31 July 2012
Potato psyllid captures were down slightly for the week of 23 July. We are reporting the first detection of potato psyllids in Gooding and Bonneville Counties, and the first report of liberibacter-positive psyllids in Canyon and Minidoka Counties this year.
From the University of Idaho sampling network, we collected the following from sticky cards last week: 1 psyllid from one site in Gooding County; 2 psyllids from one site in Minidoka County; 3 psyllids from one site in Bonneville County; 8 psyllids from one site in Jerome County; 9 psyllids from one site in Twin Falls County; and 2 psyllids from the Kimberly R&E center (in Twin Falls County).
Crop consultants and growers submitted the following on yellow sticky cards: 6 psyllids from 3 different sites in Elmore County; 3 psyllids from 2 sites in Canyon County; and 1 psyllid from a non-commercial site in Payette County.
From sticky card samples that were collected during the week of 16 July, 3 of 7 psyllids tested positive for liberibacter from one Twin Falls County site; 3 of 4 psyllids tested positive from another Twin Falls County site; 3 of 8 psyllids tested positive from the Kimberly R&E Center, and 2 of 6 psyllids tested positive from one Jerome County site. The one psyllid collected from a vacuum sample at a Twin Falls County site tested positive. In addition, psyllids on sticky cards (bulk sampled by location) submitted by crop consultants from fields in Minidoka, Elmore, and Canyon Counties tested positive for liberibacter.
The following is a brief summary of potato psyllid findings on sticky cards to date in Idaho:
University of Idaho sampling network:
Twin Falls County (3 sites, including Kimberly R&E Center) – adult psyllids (some positive for liberibacter); zebra chip infected plants confirmed (2 sites, including Kimberly R&E Center)
Jerome County (2 sites) – adult psyllids (some positive for liberibacter at one site only)
Minidoka County – adult psyllids (some positive for liberibacter)
Bonneville County – adult psyllids (awaiting results from liberibacter test)
Gooding County – adult psyllids (awaiting results from liberibacter test)
Other counties where scouting is occurring but no psyllids have been found: Madison, Bingham (2 sites) and Canyon (4 sites)
Samples submitted by crop consultants or growers:
Elmore County – adult psyllids (some positive for liberibacter)
Canyon County – adult psyllids (some positive for liberibacter)
Minidoka County – adult psyllids (positive for liberibacter)
No colonization of psyllids has been detected in scouted fields; i.e., we have yet to find any nymphs in fields. All psyllids have been adults trapped on yellow sticky cards, with the exception of 2 sites in Twin Falls County that were collected with a vacuum sampler. First detection of liberibacter-infected potato psyllids was June 19 in Twin Falls County. Plants and tubers with zebra chip symptoms (confirmed by molecular tests) were first detected July 17 in Twin Falls County. Additional samples have been submitted since that date and are awaiting confirmation.
We encourage everyone to increase scouting efforts. Ensure adequate insecticide treatment of the perimeter of fields, which may be missed by aerial application; psyllids are known to colonize fields first along the perimeter. Both potato psyllids and liberibacter are known to not be favored by very hot weather, but the role that weather has played in our findings to date or in disease epidemiology in general remains unclear.
Refer to the sites below for guidance on scouting and IPM programs for potato psyllids.
» http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
» http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/30058/pnw633.pdf
Test Alert
All Crops Treasure Valley - Oregon
Posted on: July 30, 2012 by Matt Goodale
This is a test alert, please ignore this message.
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Potato All Locations
Potato Psyllids and Zebra Chip
Posted on: July 22, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
The single potato plant observed on July 17 at the Kimberly R&E Center with zebra chip symptoms has tested positive for liberibacter, the bacterium that causes zebra chip. Several other plants with suspicious wilting symptoms were tested as well, and two of them also tested positive for liberibacter. Since these samples were taken, at least two additional plants were found at the Kimberly R&E Center with zebra chip symptoms; these also will be tested for liberibacter.
Also on July 17, several plants with suspicious symptoms from a grower field from which liberibacter-positive psyllids had been collected were tested for liberibacter. These plants all tested positive for liberibacter.
Two of the four psyllids collected from last week’s U-Idaho scouting program (week of July 9) tested positive for liberibacter. Both positive psyllids were in Twin Falls County; the psyllid found in Jerome County was negative.
The number of potato psyllids collected by our scouting program is now increasing, though numbers are still much smaller than what has been found in the Columbia basin. This past week, the U-Idaho sampling program collected potato psyllids from three grower fields (all in Twin Falls County) and from the Kimberly R&E Center. From the three grower fields, we collected 8, 6, and 4 potato psyllids, all but one of which was collected on yellow sticky cards (one was from a vacuum sample). We collected 8 psyllids at the Kimberly R&E Center.
Additionally, last week several potato psyllids were found on sticky cards taken into the Kimberly or Parma R&E Centers by crop consultants. Three potato psyllids were found across two potato fields in Canyon County, and on July 15 a single potato psyllid was collected from the Sand Hollow area of Canyon County from potatoes in a non-commercial setting. All samples will be sent to the University of Idaho campus to test for liberibacter.
We have now confirmed what is to our knowledge the first finding of ZC potato plants from this year’s planting in the Pacific Northwest this season. However, we continue to encourage scouting in order to make the most sound and appropriate management decisions for a given field.
Refer to the sites below for guidance on scouting and IPM programs for potato psyllids.
http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/30058/pnw633.pdf
powdery mildew in sugarbeets
Sugarbeets Treasure Valley - Idaho
powdery mildew
Posted on: July 20, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
Powdery mildew has been positively identified by Amalgamated Sugar Company Crop Consultants in sugarbeet fields in the western Treasure Valley of Idaho and Oregon. There are several fungicides available for use to treat powdery mildew, including sulfur dusts. Click on the pdf below for recommendations from the 2012 PNW Plant Disease handbook. Depending on the disease pressure, applications with different chemistries should be repeated every 7 to 14 days. Contact your crop consultant from the Amalgamated Sugar Company if you have questions about treatment options.
thrips control field tour
Onion Treasure Valley - Idaho
onion thrips
Posted on: July 20, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
Attached is a flyer about an upcoming field tour on thrips control in onions. Tour is Wednesday, August 8, from 3:30 to 5 pm at the UI Parma R and E Center. Refreshments will be served. Click on the pdf below for more details.
corn earworm
Corn Treasure Valley - Idaho
corn earworm
Posted on: July 20, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
The University of Idaho CIS 366 entitled “Timing Corn Earworm Control,”states that summer corn earworm moths will begin laying eggs in fresh corn silk at approximately 1300 growing degree days (GDD). Egg hatch and larvae attack will begin about 73 GDD later. Click on the pdf below to view CIS 366.
According to the Oregon State University GDD model for Corn Earworm (http://uspest.org/cgi-bin/ddmodel.pl?clm), we are currently at 1164 GDD in the Caldwell area, 1134 GDD in the Nampa area, and 1130 GDD in the Parma area. We will hit 1300 GDD in the Caldwell area on approximately 7/23, 1300 GDD in the Nampa area on approximately 7/26, and 1300 GDD in the Parma area on approximately 7/26. At each location, we will hit 1373 GDD about 3 to 4 days after reaching 1300 GDD. Those fields with fresh silk at 1373 GDD are most vulnerable to attack from corn earworm larvae.
Elm Seed Bug
Announcements Treasure Valley - Idaho
Elm Seed Bug
Posted on: July 19, 2012 by Jerry Neufeld
Attached is a press release from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture about “Elm Seed Bug”, a new invasive insect found for the first time in the U.S. Click on the pdf below for more information.
Organic Field Day at U-Idaho, Kimberly
All Crops All Locations
Posted on: July 18, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
The University of Idaho and NCAP will be holding an Organic Research Field Day at the Kimberly R&E Center on July 24. See the link below for details and registration information.
This field day will feature a variety of University of Idaho research projects:
• Cover Crop Calculator – Amber Moore
• Cover Crop and Forage Variety Trials – Christi Falen, Lauren Hunter, Glenn Shewmaker, and Steve Hines
• Biocontrol for White Mold in Dry Beans – Oliver Neher
• Meals as Potential Organic Pesticides in Dry Beans – Don Morishita, Oliver Neher, and Erik Wenninger
• Organic Seed Production of Beans, Winter Wheat, and Spring Barley – Kathy Stewart-Williams
• Colorado Potato Beetle Response to Potato Varieties – Erik Wenninger
• Potato Virus Y Management in Potatoes – Oliver Neher
• Organic Potato Fertility Guide – Amber Moore
• New Potato Varieties, Cultural Management Trials, and Implications in Storage – Nora Olsen
• Composting of offal, mortalities, and grape vine prunings – Mario de Haro Marti
» http://pesticide.givezooks.com/events/ui-organic-field-day
Plant with zebra chip symptoms found in Idaho
Potato All Locations
potato psyllid & zebra chip
Posted on: July 17, 2012 by Erik Wenninger
A single potato plant was observed on July 17 at the Kimberly R&E Center with classic zebra chip symptoms: aerial tubers, pink coloration on leaves, curling of leaves, and characteristic internal discoloration of tubers. Samples were sent to the University of Idaho campus to run molecular tests to confirm presence of liberibacter, the causal agent of zebra chip, but based on symptoms, we are reasonably confident that the plant is positive for zebra chip. The plant was pulled from the field and destroyed.
Additionally, psyllid samples collected on July 3 from two commercial fields in Twin Falls County have tested positive for liberibacter.
Samples for this week from other fields being scouted by the University of Idaho scouting program are still being collected and processed; we will have an update later on findings from these samples.
Two adult potato psyllids collected on yellow sticky traps from Elmore County on July 15 were taken into the Parma R&E Center. Two adult potato psyllids (one on July 13 and one on July 15) on yellow sticky traps from Minidoka County were taken into the Kimberly R&E Center. These samples will be sent to the University of Idaho campus to test for liberibacter.
To our knowledge, we have the first (preliminary) finding of a ZC potato plant from this year’s planting in the Pacific Northwest this season. However, we continue to encourage scouting in order to make the most sound and appropriate management decisions for a given field.
Refer to the sites below for guidance on scouting and IPM programs for potato psyllids.
» http://www.kimberly.uidaho.edu/potatoes/
» http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1957/30058/pnw633.pdf
Blister Beetle Outbreak
All Crops Treasure Valley - Idaho
Native Punctate Blister
Posted on: July 17, 2012 by Tony McCammon
Blister Beetle Outbreak in Foothills Area of Ada County
July 17, 2012
Homeowners have reported large numbers of blister beetles in the foothills area of Ada County near Boise; specimens were identified by ISDA as the native punctate blister beetle (Epicauta puncticollis). Larvae of blister beetles serve as predators of grasshopper eggs, but adults feed on vegetation, occasionally moving to flowering field crops such as alfalfa. Bodies of adult beetles contain the chemical cantharidin, a toxic chemical that protects them from predators. Accidentally crushing a beetle against the skin can result in a painful blister, the source of the insect’s common name. Blister beetles have long (3/4 to 1-1/4 inch) narrow bodies, broad heads, and antennae that are about 1/3 the length of their entire bodies. The front wings are soft and flexible in contrast to the hard front wings of most beetles. The punctate blister beetles is black, however other blister beetle species that are tan to gray also occur. See picture attached.
Blister beetles seldom cause serious crop injury. However, in sufficient quantities, the cantharidin in the bodies of living or dead blister beetles can be toxic, and in some cases lethal, to horses, sheep, and cattle. Animals may be poisoned by eating crushed beetles in cured hay. Alfalfa growers should contact their local Extension office for information on management of these insects. Contact a veterinarian immediately if you suspect blister beetle poisoning in livestock.
