The Colorado Potato Beetle

Abstract

THIS insect is a recent immigrant into Europe from North America, and has now become established over a large area of France. Its further spread into north-eastern France and into Belgium is a matter of importance to potato growers in England. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries directs attention to the probability that examples of this beetle will reach southern England from time to time by direct flight. In such circumstances small outbreaks might readily occur, and the Ministry is accordingly anxious to obtain as early a notification as possible of the discovery of the pest in this country. Potato growers, especially those in Essex, Kent and Sussex, are asked to keep close watch on their crops, and to inform the Ministry immediately the presence of the beetle is suspected or discovered. A full description of the insect is given in the Ministry's Advisory Leaflet, No. 71. Any yellowish beetle with black stripes, or any red or reddish-yellow grub, that is found feeding upon potato leaves should be regarded with suspicion. When such beetles or grubs are discovered, specimens should be placed in a tin box (in which no holes should be punched) with a piece of potato leaf, and the box should be sent to the Ministry of Agriculture, 10 Whitehall Place, London, S.W.I, with a letter stating the exact place where the bisects were caught and the name and address of the finder. No other steps should be taken until instructions are received from the Ministry; it is especially important that the crop should not be sprayed or interfered with, as this is likely to cause the beetles to spread, and an outbreak possibly affecting only a few square yards may be distributed throughout a field. Apart from the specimens sent to the Ministry, no beetles or grubs should be removed. The object of these measures is to keep the insect confined to as small an area as possible, so that it may be eradicated without loss of time.