Epitrix Tuberis Research Articles

Wireworm and Flea Beetle IPM in Potatoes in Canada: Implications for Managing Emergent Problems in Europe

Three species of wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) known to cause severe damage to potatoes in Europe and Asia have been introduced to Canada and are now well established as pests in the westernmost province of British Columbia (BC) (Agriotes obscurus and A. lineatus) and the eastern provinces of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island (A. obscurus, A. lineatus and A. sputator). Conventional insecticide-based efforts to control these invasive pests have had serious environmental impacts, or are failing to prevent severe economic damage from occurring to potatoes in some key potato production areas. Research toward developing an IPM programme for these exotic species has been completed or is underway in Canada, including the following: biological and ecological studies, development of monitoring and risk assessment programmes, and development of insecticidal and alternative control strategies. This research is summarized and implications for wireworm management in Europe are discussed. In addition to wireworms, one of the primary economic insect pests of potatoes in BC is the tuber flea beetle, Epitrix tuberis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). The larvae of this beetle feed on developing or mature daughter tubers, producing surface channels or tracks and holes directly into the tuber. In the past, growers would apply 7–10 foliar sprays of broad-spectrum insecticides per growing season, which was not always successful in controlling this pest. In the EU, a newly identified flea beetle, Epitrix papa sp. n., as well as the North American species, E. cucumeris, have been identified as attacking potatoes initially in Portugal (2004) and later also in Spain. The potential spread of these emergent pests to various EU and non-EU countries is of concern, and if established would require the development of management strategies. The former development of a highly effective IPM programme developed in BC for E. tuberis is discussed, as is its potential for E. papa and E. cucumeris management in Europe.

PM 7/109 (2) Epitrix cucumeris, Epitrix papa, Epitrix subcrinita, Epitrix tuberis

Specific scopeThis Standard describes a diagnostic protocol for adults of Epitrix cucumeris, Epitrix papa, Epitrix subcrinita and Epitrix tuberis.Specific approval and amendmentFirst approved in 2011‐09.Revision approved in 2016‐01.

Molecular identification of Epitrix potato flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Europe and North America - CORRIGENDUM.

Epitrix species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) feed mostly on plants from the family Solanaceae and some of them are major pests of potato crops. All Epitrix species are morphologically highly similar, which makes them difficult to identify and limits their study and management. Identification of species is mostly based on the observation of the genitalia and requires a high level of expertise. Here, we propose a tool to reliably identify all developmental stages of the most economically important Epitrix species feeding on potato in Europe and North America (Epitrix cucumeris, Epitrix similaris, Epitrix tuberis, Epitrix subcrinita and Epitrix hirtipennis). We first sequenced two DNA markers (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2)) to test their effectiveness in differentiating among six Epitrix species (126 specimens). Morphospecies of Epitrix were well-differentiated by both DNA barcodes and no mitochondrial introgression was detected. Then, we developed an RFLP-based diagnostic method and showed that unambiguous species discrimination can be achieved by using the sole restriction enzyme TaqI on COI polymerase chain reaction products. The tool proposed here should improve our knowledge about Epitrix species biology, distribution and host range, three capacities that are particularly important in the detection and management of these pest species. Specifically, this tool should help prevent the introduction of E. tuberis and E. subcrinita in Europe and limit the spread of the recently introduced E. cucumeris and E. similaris, with minimal disruption to Solanaceae trade.

Molecular identification ofEpitrixpotato flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Europe and North America

Epitrix species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) feed mostly on plants from the family Solanaceae and some of them are major pests of potato crops. All Epitrix species are morphologically highly similar, which makes them difficult to identify and limits their study and management. Identification of species is mostly based on the observation of the genitalia and requires a high level of expertise. Here, we propose a tool to reliably identify all developmental stages of the most economically important Epitrix species feeding on potato in Europe and North America (Epitrix cucumeris, Epitrix similaris, Epitrix tuberis, Epitrix subcrinita and Epitrix hirtipennis). We first sequenced two DNA markers (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2)) to test their effectiveness in differentiating among six Epitrix species (126 specimens). Morphospecies of Epitrix were well-differentiated by both DNA barcodes and no mitochondrial introgression was detected. Then, we developed an RFLP-based diagnostic method and showed that unambiguous species discrimination can be achieved by using the sole restriction enzyme TaqI on COI polymerase chain reaction products. The tool proposed here should improve our knowledge about Epitrix species biology, distribution and host range, three capacities that are particularly important in the detection and management of these pest species. Specifically, this tool should help prevent the introduction of E. tuberis and E. subcrinita in Europe and limit the spread of the recently introduced E. cucumeris and E. similaris, with minimal disruption to Solanaceae trade.

Epitrix flea beetles: new threats to potato production in Europe

Epitrix tuberis and E. cucumeris are major pests of potatoes in North America. E. tuberis causes the most serious damage because the larval feeding can cause superficial serpentine tunnelling on the surface of tubers as well as deeper pits. This damage can make crops unmarketable. By contrast, E. cucumeris mainly damages the foliage, and yield losses can occur when the adults reach high densities. In 2004, potato tuber damage characteristic of E. tuberis was seen in Portugal. In 2008, damage was more widespread and severe. E. cucumeris and a lesser known species, E. similaris, were recorded in affected fields. E. similaris has since been found across Galicia, Spain. E. similaris is thought to be the most likely cause of the tuber damage in Portugal, but it is possible that E. cucumeris or an as yet undetected Epitrix species is causing the damage. In 2010, a pest risk assessment for the Euro-Mediterranean area identified the movement of adults and pupae with seed or ware potatoes and associated soil as being the highest-risk pathways for the spread of Epitrix. In 2012, EU emergency measures were agreed to reduce the risk of further introductions and the rate of spread of these pests.

Effect of crop rotation on populations of Epitrix tuberis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in potato.

The effect of crop rotation on populations of tuber flea beetle, Epitrix tuberis Gentner, in potatoes was investigated using data supplied by an integrated pest management (IPM) company and Geographic Information System software and conventional statistical methods. Using combined 1995 and 1996 data, beetles of the overwintered and F1 generations in both the interior and edges of potato fields showed a significant linear increase with an increase in the preceding consecutive years (0, 1, and 2 years) that the current years' crop was planted to potatoes. Populations were significantly higher in nonrotated fields compared with rotated fields. Both the percentage of the cropping region requiring insecticidal control of tuber flea beetles and the cost of insecticides per hectare of potatoes grown increased linearly with an increase in the number of previous years planted to potatoes. Not practicing crop rotation resulted in a 4.2-7.3% increase in the cropping region requiring insecticidal control of tuber flea beetles. The cost of controlling beetles in potato fields planted to potatoes for 3 consecutive years was up to $20/ha greater than potatoes rotated from the preceding year. Beetle counts from the interior of rotated potato fields never exceeded threshold levels when field edges also were below threshold. It is concluded that sampling of overwintered beetles in interior sites of rotated fields could be abandoned, and only 1 monitoring scout rather than 2 would be necessary to monitor a field during this time. From these results, we concluded that rotating potato crops would reduce spray costs to the farmer and monitoring costs to IPM companies.

GRANULAR INSECTICIDES AGAINST OVERWINTERED TUBER FLEA BEETLE, EPITRIX TUBERIS GENTNER (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE), ON POTATO

AbstractSix systemic and two nonsystemic granular insecticides were evaluated by application in the furrow at planting for control of overwintered tuber flea beetles, Epitrix tuberis Gentner. Studies were conducted from 1986 to 1988 in three soil types in the lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia. Of the registered systemic insecticides tested, phorate and aldicarb gave rapid and consistent control of overwintered adults released on the foliage 24–30 days after planting, whereas disulfoton and carbofuran were either less effective or more variable in their control. Terbufos and cloethocarb, not registered for use on potatoes, gave control of adult beetles similar to that of phorate and aldicarb. Mortality of overwintered generation adults resulting from these systemic insecticides was correlated with numbers of beetles emerging in the summer adult generation. Neither fonofos nor chlorpyrifos, the nonsystemic granular insecticides, gave effective control of overwintered flea beetles. Only fonofos significantly reduced the emergence of beetles of the summer generation, but the control was inconsistent between years. When beetles were released on the foliage 56 and 65 days after planting, the fewest beetles emerged from the phorate and terbufos plots. All treatments were less effective in highly organic soils than in mineral soils. The advantages of using granular systemic insecticides for controlling overwintered E. tuberis, and strategies for improving control in association with integrated pest management programs are discussed.

EVALUATION OF FOLIAR SPRAYS AGAINST THE TUBER FLEA BEETLE, EPITRIX TUBERIS GENTNER (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE), ON POTATO

AbstractThe efficacies of registered and unregistered foliar sprays against the tuber flea beetle, Epitrix tuberis Gentner, were compared in 1987, 1988, and 1989 at Abbotsford, B.C. Beetles were released serially in treatment plots and visually counted after each release to determine the effectiveness and longevity of residual control. In 1989, emergence cages placed over previously treated plants measured the effect of sprays on the next generation of beetles. Pyrethroids generally resulted in beetle mortality for longer periods of time than did the nonpyrethroids carbaryl, endosulfan, chlorpyrifos, and methamidophos. Several pyrethroids provided residual beetle control for up to 7 days after application. In 1989, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, and deltamethrin were as effective in suppressing emergence of the next generation of beetles as was granular phorate applied at seeding. These studies demonstrated that foliar sprays can be a key component of E. tuberis management programs, especially those operating on soil types where the use of granular insecticides is restricted.

Persistence and uptake of cloethocarb in a mineral soil and its efficacy against the tuber flea beetle, Epitrix tuberis Gentner

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTPersistence and uptake of cloethocarb in a mineral soil and its efficacy against the tuber flea beetle, Epitrix tuberis GentnerSunny Y. Szeto, Robert S. Vernon, Patricia M. Price, and John R. MackenzieCite this: J. Agric. Food Chem. 1991, 39, 3, 584–587Publication Date (Print):March 1, 1991Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 March 1991https://doi.org/10.1021/jf00003a030RIGHTS & PERMISSIONSArticle Views32Altmetric-Citations-LEARN ABOUT THESE METRICSArticle Views are the COUNTER-compliant sum of full text article downloads since November 2008 (both PDF and HTML) across all institutions and individuals. These metrics are regularly updated to reflect usage leading up to the last few days.Citations are the number of other articles citing this article, calculated by Crossref and updated daily. Find more information about Crossref citation counts.The Altmetric Attention Score is a quantitative measure of the attention that a research article has received online. Clicking on the donut icon will load a page at altmetric.com with additional details about the score and the social media presence for the given article. Find more information on the Altmetric Attention Score and how the score is calculated. Share Add toView InAdd Full Text with ReferenceAdd Description ExportRISCitationCitation and abstractCitation and referencesMore Options Share onFacebookTwitterWechatLinked InReddit PDF (560 KB) Get e-Alerts Get e-Alerts

OVERWINTERING OF TUBER FLEA BEETLES, EPITRIX TUBERIS GENTNER (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE), IN POTATO FIELDS

Early season infestations of adult tuber flea beetles, Epitrix tuberis Gentner, usually are concentrated at the edges of potato fields, and it generally has been assumed that they move into potato fields from the outside inward. This edge-effect suggests that tuber flea beetles overwinter outside potato fields, and other species of flea beetles have been reported to behave similarly (Wolfenbarger 1940; Dominick 1971; Burgess 1981). This may not be true of E. tuberis, however. Hoerner and Gillette (1928), in Colorado, noted that potatoinfesting flea beetles [probably E. cucurneris (Harris), E. subcrinata (Lec.), or E. tuberis] often congregated under piles of old potato vines in potato fields, and Hill and Tate (1942) observed flea beetles feeding on cull tubers in a potato field after harvest. These observations suggest, but do not confirm, that some flea beetles including E. tuberis may remain in harvested potato fields during winter.

A SEQUENTIAL SAMPLING PLAN FOR ADULT TUBER FLEA BEETLES (EPITRIX TUBERIS GENTNER): DEALING WITH “EDGE EFFECTS”

AbstractWe propose a sequential sampling plan for adult tuber flea beetles, Epitrix tuberis Gent., in potato fields, which is based on a confidence interval calculated around a critical density value (Iwao 1975) and which uses Taylor’s Power Law (Taylor 1961) to estimate the variance. Because of the highly edge-biased gradients of density displayed by this insect, separate sequential expressions have been calculated for densities at the edges and centers of fields.In a survey of 12 commercial potato fields, spring-generation E. tuberis densities in centers of fields were always far below the threshold level of one beetle per 10 plants employed at the time of sampling. The survey also indicated that fields that have been sown with potatoes for 2 consecutive years have higher beetle densities than fields sown with potatoes for a 1st year. Edge:center density ratios, however, were the same for the two categories of fields.

MONITORING TUBER FLEA BEETLE, EPITRIX TUBERIS GENTNER (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE) ON POTATO: PARAMETERS AFFECTING THE ACCURACY OF VISUAL SAMPLING

AbstractThe accuracy of visual observations in estimating numbers of tuber flea beetles, Epitrix tuberis Gentner, on young potatoes was determined. Potential sources of observational error examined were as follows: (a) observer competence and experience; (b) time spent observing each plant; (c) time of day; (d) plant height; and (e) weather. Observational accuracy versus tuber flea beetle density on plants followed a linear relationship for both experienced and inexperienced observers. Marked differences between experienced and inexperienced observers generally were reduced after 2 h of sampling experience, but some observers were consistently less accurate at sighting beetles than others. When observing small plants, 5-s observations generally were more accurate at sighting beetles per second of observation than 2-, 8-, or 10-s observations. Under uniform weather conditions, accuracy was the same in the morning as in the afternoon. Observer accuracy was significantly reduced under the combined influences of observer fatigue and wind. The relationship of 5-s-per-plant sampling accuracy to plants between 14 and 56 cm in height was linear; however, a quadratic relationship is suspected for plants over the full range of plant heights (i.e. >1 cm). From these data, total tuber flea beetles per plant estimated by 5-s visual observations per plant would be: TFB = TFB0/EhE0n where TFB0 is the total number of flea beetles observed, n is the total number of plants sampled, Eh is a sampling accuracy constant for the mean plant height sampled, and E0 is the observer accuracy constant calculated as a proportion of the most proficient observer(s).

COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF INSECTICIDES AGAINST TUBER FLEA BEETLE AND APHIDS IN POTATOES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

One organochlorine, one synthetic pyrethroid, three carbamate and 11 organophosphorus compounds were tested against the tuber flea beetle, Epitrix tuberis Gent., and aphids, mainly Myzus persicae (Sulz.), on potatoes, Solanum tuberosum L. The insecticides were applied as granules only, granules with three supplementary sprays, or sprays alone at 10-day intervals. No treatment was completely satisfactory for both pests. Larval damage to the tubers was reduced significantly by granules of isofenphos, by granules with sprays of carbofuran and N 2596 (S-[p-chlorophenyl] O-ethyl ethanephosphorodithioate) and by sprays of methidathion and NRDC 143 (3-phenoxybenzyl (±)-cis,trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate), the synthetic pyrethroid. Only the last two, and carbofuran, reduced the amount of adult beetle feeding. Aphid numbers were not reduced significantly by any treatment, but were increased significantly by three.