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Submitted to: Potato Grower
Publication Type: Trade Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 4/19/2012 Publication Date: 6/1/2012 Citation: Munyaneza, J.E. 2012. Psyllid lineup: the pests that carry zebra chip. Potato Grower. p 3-5. Interpretive Summary: The potato psyllid is an important insect pest of potato that has recently been shown to be the vector of zebra chip, an economically important disease that has devastated potato growers in the southwest and Pacific Northwest of the U.S. Researchers at USDA-ARS Wapato, WA provided information on how to identify the psyllid and discussed its geographic distribution, biology, pest significance and management. This information will assist potato producers to minimize damage caused by this pest. Technical Abstract: The potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli, is as an economically important insect pest of potatoes, tomatoes, and other solanaceous crops in the western U.S., Mexico, Central America and New Zealand. This insect has historically been linked to psyllid yellows disease, but more recently has been shown to be the vector of a bacterium that causes zebra chip (ZC) disease of potato and severely damages other solanaceous crops. ZC is an emerging and economically important disease that has devastated potato growers throughout the psyllid’s range, including the southwest and Pacific Northwest of the U.S., often leading to the abandonment of entire fields. Identification, geographic distribution, biology, pest significance and management of this potato pest are discussed. |
