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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #414554
Research Project: Sustainable Management of Arthropod Pests in Horticultural Crops

Location: Horticultural Crops Disease and Pest Management Research Unit

Title: Effects of elicitors on plant host selection by adult Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Author
item BUTCHER, ALEXANDER - Oregon State University
item RONDON, SILVIA - Oregon State University
item Lee, Jana
item PAUL, RYAN - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Journal of Insect Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/25/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is a serious pest of potatoes. Because this pest is frequently managed by sprays, CPB has developed resistance to major conventional insecticides. Our laboratory assays with potatoes treated with commercially available plant growth regulators has revealed one product to repel CPB causing reguritation and defecation. Potatoes treated with another product attracted CPB. Potentially, the use of a repellent to push CPB away from the crop and an attractant in a trap crop can be used for pest management in the field.

Technical Abstract: The Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) is the principle defoliator of potato crops globally. This pest has developed resistance to all conventional chemical control options. New options that are resilient to its ability to rapidly develop resistance are a critical need. Volatile chemicals have been proposed as a control tool that L. decemlineata is less likely to develop resistance towards. Here we provide evidence that commercially available plant growth regulators, or elicitors, can be used to attract or repel L. decemlineata. Adult beetles are highly attracted to potato plants sprayed with the elicitor Blush 2x while plants sprayed with Actigard 50 WG appear to be repellent. The implications of these results for integrated pest management are discussed.