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Title: Leafhopper and aphids associated with potato in Alaska: species composition, seasonal abundance, and potential virus vectors

Author
item Pantoja, Alberto
item Munyaneza, Joseph
item Crosslin, James
item Hagerty, Aaron
item Emmert, Susan
item PIKE, KEITH - Washington State University
item ALVAREZ, JUAN - University Of Idaho
item JENSEN, ANDREW - Washington State University

Submitted to: Bioforsk Fokus
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/20/2010
Publication Date: 7/20/2010
Citation: Pantoja, A., Munyaneza, J.E., Crosslin, J., Hagerty, A.M., Emmert, S.Y., Pike, K., Alvarez, J.M., Jensen, A. 2010. Leafhopper and aphids associated with potato in Alaska: species composition, seasonal abundance, and potential virus vectors. Bioforsk Fokus. 5(5):36.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Due to its geographical isolation and climatic constraints, Alaska is considered relatively free of diseases and insect pests; therefore, growers in the state are exploring the potential of producing seed potato for export. However, the biology of agricultural insect pests in the circumpolar region is lacking or poorly understood. Research conducted from 2004 to 2006 in the main potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production areas of Alaska resulted in the identification of 41 leafhopper species associated with agricultural settings. Twenty species were identified in association with potato. Two species, Davisonia snowi (Dorst) and Macrosteles fascifrons (Stål), made up approximately 60% of the total number of individuals collected, representing 34 and 26%, respectively. Both species, M. fascifrons and D. snowi generally arrived in fields by late May to early June and numbers peaked by late June to July. In all years M. fascifrons populations peaked earlier than D. snowi. Three of the species collected [Balclutha punctata (Fabricius), M. fascifrons, and Scaphytopius acutus (Say)] are known vectors of phytoplasmas of potatoes and other agricultural crops or have the potential to cause mechanical damage to potatoes. This report represents the first extensive study of Cicadellids from potatoes in Alaska. Preliminary data on potential aphid vectors associated with potato include known vector species such as Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas), Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and Rhopalosiphum padi (L.).