Aphids Showing up in Potato Fields

WSU researchers have found a small number of winged green peach aphids in potato fields and are advising growers to closely monitor for the pest.

Applying neonicotinoid insecticides early in the season have proven a good way to keep the numbers down according to researchers, but be careful of overuse so the aphids don’t become resistant.

Beet leafhoppers numbers remain low and were found on just 35 percent of yellow sticky cards as opposed to 85 percent last year. To deal with BLH, make sure to control weeds near the fields.

Researchers did not find any potato tuberworm, or potato psyllids last week.

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