Walking the potatoes

Colorado beetle is a major threat to our potatoes. Walking the crop is my form of control. If the adults are caught and crushed early hopefully the voracious larvae can be avoided.

The beetles which overwinter can fly a few miles. Crop rotation is highly recommended and removal of all potatoes in autumn is essential as the beetles feed first on emergent self seeders.

Insecticide resistance is high. Flaming the early crop can be effective, apparently.

There is a forest field near us where potatoes were recklessly grown three or four years in succession and the field then abandoned.

I only found two beetles this morning and will keep up surveillance . The cool weather assists in making fly-in infestation less likely but with temps rising that may change.

The beetles are unpleasantly crunchy to crush but at least it’s quick and effective.

Late extra: more rain moving in at 14.00.
17mm yesterday