Colorado potato beetle – Evidence for the emergence of metabolic resistance
2021
- Department of Entomology, UW Madison
- Department of Entomology, University of Idaho
Project Media
Management of agricultural crops relies on integrated pest management strategies to mitigate
production losses due to insect infestation. Producers of field and vegetable crops depend on local and
regional guidelines for pesticide applications to limit insect infestation and minimize associated damage
(1). Within an agroecosystem, a producer may need to manage multiple insect, pathogen and plant species
resulting in the application of several insecticide, fungicide and herbicide mode of action groups,
respectively (2). Pesticide applications used for the same cropping system can vary among producers and
can vary between different geographic regions. One pest of solanaceous crops which is often controlled
using a diverse set of cultural and chemical management practices, is the Colorado potato beetle
(Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say). If not properly managed, this specialist herbivore can cause significant
defoliation of the potato canopy that can result in yield loss and economic injury for the producer. In
addition to its ability to rapidly defoliate plants, L. decemlineata is considered a major pest species
because of its ability to develop resistance to insecticides at a rapid rate (3).