ADVERTISEMENT
First signs of infestation
The potato beetle emerges during the warmer months, usually around May, after spending the winter underground as an adult.
Life cycle
This cycle repeats between June and September, producing 2 to 3 generations per year that can cause significant damage, even to late crops.
Beetle Identification
Identifying the Colorado potato beetle is a simple task. Both adults and larvae can be found in large colonies that have the ability to consume large portions of the plant’s foliage, eventually leading to skeletonization of the plant.
Potato Protection
The primary method of preventing Colorado potato beetle is the implementation of a comprehensive crop rotation strategy.
Bait plants
One possible approach to protecting potatoes from beetles is the use of “bait plants.”
Weed Eradication
One method to prevent the arrival of the Colorado potato beetle is to eradicate weeds from the area.
Use of insecticides approved for organic farming
When it comes to infestations, the use of insecticides is necessary. However, it is important to avoid using broad-spectrum products because they not only eliminate the Colorado potato beetle, but also its natural predators.
