Southern Potato Wireworm Research Articles

Evaluation of Food Baits for Pre-Plant Sampling of Wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae) in Potato Fields in Southern Florida

Experiments were conducted during two consecutive growing seasons to evaluate food baits for pre-plant sampling of wireworms that attack potato in southern Florida. Wireworm species studied were: Melanotus communis (Gyllenhal), southern potato wireworm, Conoderus falli Lane, C. amplicollis (Gyllenhal), and C. rudis (Brown). Baits evaluated were hybrid sweet corn seed, hybrid sorghum-sudangrass seed, a 1:1 mixture of corn and sorghum-sudangrass seed, a whole sweet corn ear, potato seed pieces, a 1:1 mixture of oatmeal and corn flake, rolled oats, and carrots. In the first year, numbers of wireworm larvae did not differ between food bait and soil samples for most food baits tested. Melanotus communis larvae were most numerous in the oatmeal-corn flake and sorghum-sudangrass seed baits. Conoderus spp. larvae were most numerous in the sorghum-sudangrass seed and corn ear baits. In the second year, M. communis larvae were more numerous in food baits than in soil samples, and more numerous in the oatmeal-corn flake and rolled oat baits than in other food baits. Numbers of Conoderus spp. larvae did not differ between food bait and soil samples nor among food baits. In addition to attracting more wireworms, oatmeal-corn flake and rolled oat baits had some of the shorter processing times. The use of one of these two baits is currently recommended for pre-plant sampling of wireworms in potato fields in southern Florida.

Control of Soil Insect Injury by Resistance in Sweet Potato

Abstract Soil insect root injury to resistant sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] cultivars ‘Regal’ and ‘Southern Delite’ was compared to injury to ‘Jewel’ and ‘Centennial’ in trials with the resistant-standard W-13 and the susceptible-standard SC 1149-19. Injury by three groups of insects was evaluated: the wirewoom-Diabrotica-Systena complex (WDS), which includes the southern potato wireworm (Conoderus falli Lane), the tobacco wireworm (C. vespertinus Fabricius), the banded cucumber beetle (Diabrotica balteata LeConte), the spotted cucumber beetle (D. undecimpunctata howardi Barber), the elongate flea beetle (Systena elongata Fabricius), the pale-striped flea beetle (S. blanda Melsheimer), and S. frontalis Fabricius (a flea beetle); the sweet potato flea beetle (Chaetocnema confinis Crotch.); and a white grub (Plectris aliena Chapin). Relative control estimates were obtained by comparison to the susceptible standard. ‘Regal’ and ‘Southern Delite’ provided good control of all three insect groups with control of all insect injuries of 79.2% and 81.0%, respectively. ‘Jewel’ and ‘Centennial’ were resistant to the sweet potato flea beetle and sustained less damage by WDS than the susceptible standard, but would still be classed as susceptible to WDS. ‘Centennial’ was as susceptible to the white grub as SC 1149-19. The levels of resistance demonstrated for ‘Regal’ and ‘Southern Delite’ would provide growers an alternative to insecticides for the control of these insects.

Mass Selection in Sweet Potato: Breeding for Resistance to Insects and Diseases and for Horticultural Characteristics1

Abstract Advances attained by the sixth generation of mass selection in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) were assessed. The objective was to combine multiple resistances to pathogens, nematodes and insects with other desirable production and market qualities. Although progress from 6 single-year cycles of selection was encouraging, a change to 2-year cycles was indicated. Generation 6 contained high frequencies of flowering and seed set, attractive root shape, orange flesh, thin cortex, root specific gravities of about 1.02, acceptable yield, and resistance to fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. batatas (Wr.) Snyd. and Hans.), the southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood) and the following soil insects: the southern potato wireworm (Conoderus falli Lane), the banded cucumber (Diabrotica balteata LeConte), the spotted cucumber beetle (D. undecimpuncta howardi Barber), the elongate flea beetle (Systena elongata (F.)), a white grub (Plectris aliena Chapin), and the sweet-potato flea beetle (Chaetocnema confinis Crotch).

A sequential sampling plan for classifying infestations of southern potato wireworm

A plan is proposed whereby 1 to 3 hours of sampling will usually determine whether measures for control of the southern potato wireworm,Conoderus falli Lane, are warranted. This pest is potentially serious but does not consistently occur in sufficient numbers to cause economic injury to potatoes.

Efficiency and Effective Radius of Blacklight Traps Against Southern Potato Wireworm12

A reported technique for using water pans to determine efficiency of backlight (BL) traps was modified for studies of Conoderus falli Lane. In tests during 1969–71, the effective radius of a 15-watt BL lamp in a survey-type trap conforming to Entomological Society of America standards was estimated at 17–23 feet. The average efficiency of the trap in capturing insects within the effective radius was estimated at 28–62%. When isolated BL traps were operated 36 to 44 nights, no effect on the population could be attributed to distances beyond 35 to 53 feet from the light. It is estimated that at least 5 traps per acre would be required to cause a marked reduction in natural populations of southern potato wireworm.

Resistance in Sweetpotatoes to Coleoptera Increased by Recurrent Selection12

Four cycles of recurrent selection in a random crossing population of sweet potato. Ipomoen batatas (L..) Lam., increased incidence of resistance to root damage by the grub of Plectris aliena Chapin and the incidence and leavels of resistance to larvae of the southern potato wire-worm, Conoderus falli Lane; the banded cucumber beetle, Diabrotica balteata LeConte; the spotted cucumber beetle, D. undecimpunctata howardi Barber; the clongate flea beetle, Systena elongate (F.); and S. frontalis (F.). No appreciable improvement in resistance to the sweet-potato flea beetle, Chaetocnema confinis Crotch, was detected, but resistance to this insect was relatively high in the original population.

Susceptibility of certain coleopterous larvae to the DD-136 nematode

In laboratory cages the nematode DD-136 was highly pathogenic to larvae of the banded cucumber beetle, Diabrotica balteata, but only slightly so to larvae of the southern potato wireworm, Conoderus falli. In field drum plots, the nematode caused as much as 76% mortality of the Diabrotica larvae; residual activity was increased by shading the soil. Higher dosages were more effective than lower ones. However, three applications of the nematode to small field plots of sweet potatoes did not give adequate protection against the total insect complex. Bioassays of soil from these plots indicated that the nematode produced high initial infection in D. balteata larvae but declined rapidly in effectiveness thereafter.

A fungus and a protozoan found in the southern potato wireworm, Conoderus falli

A fungus and a protozoan found in the southern potato wireworm, Conoderus falli

Insecticides Tested for Wireworm Control on Cigar-Wrapper Tobacco1

Broadcast applications of 17 insecticidal compounds in various formulations were evaluated far control of the southern potato wireworm, Conoderus falli Lane, and the tobacco wireworm, Conoderus vespertinus (F.), on cigarwrapper tobacco. Efficiency of some treatments varied with the density of wireworm infestations and distribution of insecticide in the soil. Ethylene dibromide as recommended for nematode control did not give adequate control of a heavy wireworm infestation. Compounds which gave good results were Bayer 25141 [ O, O -diethyl O-p- (methylsulfinyl) phenyl phasphorothioate], diazinon, G5-13005 [ O, O -dimethyl phosphorodithioate S -ester with 4-(mercaptomethyl)-2-methoxy-∆2-1,3,4-thiadiazolin-5-one], Kepone® (decachlorooctahydro-1,3,4-metheno-2H-cydobuta-[cd]pentalen-2-one), N-2790 ( O -ethyl- S -phenyl-ethylphosphonodithioate), Niagara 9203 [ O, O -dimethyl phosphorothioate S -ester with 3-(mercaptomethyl)-2-benzoxazolinone], and parathion. None of the compounds were phytotoxic except Niagara 10242 (2,3-dihvdro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzo-furanyl methylcarbamate), which caused considerable chlorosis, deformity, and necrosis in the tobacco foliage.

Wireworm Control on Sweet Corn in Organic Soils

The southern potato wireworm, Conoderus falli Lane, and the corn wireworm, Melanotus communis (Gyllenhal), are important vegetable crop pests in organic soils of the Everglades. Sweet corn is one of the crops most susceptible to damage by either of these wireworms. The southern potato wireworm has developed resistance to chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides in Florida (Workman 1963) and in South Carolina (Reid and Cuthbert 1956). However, it is usually adequately controlled by any one of several phosphatic insecticides. The corn wireworm has been the more difficult species to control in the organic soils of the Everglades. Soil insect control is usually more difficult in organic soils than in mineral soils. Wireworm control research in the Everglades was intensified in 1961 after many growers reported inadequate control with recommended practices. Several insecticides were compared. Insecticide baits were evaluated in applications made before planting sweet corn and in applications made after corn plants had emerged from the soil.

Four Little-Known Pests of Sweetpotato Roots

At least 14 insect species feed on roots of swectpotatocs. Except for the well-known sweetpotato weevil, Cyclas formicarius elegantulus (Summers), little published information is available on the nature and extent of the injury caused by these insects. Marcovitch (1946), describing injuries caused by the elongate flea beetle, Systena elongata (F.), mentioned reports of injury by the banded cucumber beetle, Diabrotica balteata LeConte; the palestriped flea beetle, Systena blanda Melsheimer; the spotted cucumber beetle, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber; and the sweetpotato leaf beetle, Typophorus nigritis viridicyaneus (Crotch). Several other insects, including the southern potato wireworm, Conoderus falli Lane; the tobacco wireworm, Conoderus vespertinus (F.) ; the Gulf wireworm, Conoderus amplicollis (Gyllenhal) = Heteroderes laurentii (Guerin-Meneville) ; molecrickets; and white grubs, are generally recognized as sweetpotato pests. Kantack and Floyd (1956) listed Phyllophaga spp. among the soil insects injurious to swectpotatoes in Louisiana.

Control of the Southern Potato Wireworm, Conoderus falli, on Early-Crop Potatoes1

Six field-plot experiments conducted from 1960 through 1962 showed that diazinon broadcast at 1½ to 2 lb/acre and parathion and phorate broadcast at 2 and 3 lb/acre, disked into the soil before planting, usually gave commercially adequate control of the southern potato wireworm, Conderus falli Lane, in early-crop potatoes. Phorate and parathion applied in the planting furrow were, or tended to be, less effective than when broadcast. Diazinon at comparable total dosages applied in September and October on and through the foliage of summer-fall cover crops, and not mixed into the soil, was equally effective in protecting the tubers the following spring. Parathion tended to be even more effective when applied in this manner. Phorate and Nemacide® (O-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)O,O-diethyl phosphorothioate) showed a similar tendency. Telodrin® (1,3,4,5,6,7,8,8-octachloro- l ,3,3a ,4,7, 7a-hexahydro-4, 7-methanoisobenzofuran and Zinophos® (O,O-diethyl O-2-pyrazinyl phosphorothioate) showed promise when applied by each method.

The Southern Potato Wireworm, a New Pest of Tobacco

Studies in 1957-61 showed that the southern potato wireworm (Conoderus fulli Lane) was a serious pest of newly set tobacco plants in South Carolina. This wireworm was found in tobacco land in 8 of 13 tobacco-producing counties, and was more prevalent in some fields than the tobacco wireworm (Conoderus vespertinus (F.)). The potential importance of the southern potato wireworm is increased since this pest is not controlled by certain chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides used against the tobacco wireworm.

Insecticide Resistance Tests for the Southern Potato Wireworm1

Journal Article Insecticide Resistance Tests for the Southern Potato Wireworm Get access R. B. Workman R. B. Workman Potato Invetigations Laboratory, Hastings, Florida Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 56, Issue 3, 1 June 1963, Page 419, https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/56.3.419 Published: 01 June 1963 Article history Accepted: 03 December 1962 Published: 01 June 1963

A Method of Rearing Southern Potato Wireworm

A Method of Rearing Southern Potato Wireworm

Parathion on Cover Crop and Fallowing for Control of Southern Potato Wire worm

Journal Article Parathion on Cover Crop and Fallowing for Control of Southern Potato Wire worm Get access F. P. Cuthbert, Jr., F. P. Cuthbert, Jr. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar W. J. Reid, Jr., W. J. Reid, Jr. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Augustine Day Augustine Day Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 52, Issue 4, 1 August 1959, Pages 772–773, https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/52.4.772a Published: 01 August 1959 Article history Accepted: 10 April 1959 Published: 01 August 1959

Evaluation of Certain Insecticides for Southern Potato Wire worm Control

Journal Article Evaluation of Certain Insecticides for Southern Potato Wire worm Control Get access F. P. Cuthbert, Jr., F. P. Cuthbert, Jr. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar W. J. Reid, Jr., W. J. Reid, Jr. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Augustine Day Augustine Day Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 52, Issue 4, 1 August 1959, Pages 780–781, https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/52.4.780 Published: 01 August 1959 Article history Accepted: 21 April 1959 Published: 01 August 1959

Resistance of the Southern Potato Wireworm to Insecticides1

Journal Article Resistance of the Southern Potato Wireworm to Insecticides Get access W. J. Reid, Jr., W. J. Reid, Jr. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar F. P. Cuthbert, Jr. F. P. Cuthbert, Jr. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 49, Issue 6, 1 December 1956, Pages 879–880, https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/49.6.879 Published: 01 December 1956