Potato Growers Reminded To Be Vigilant When It Comes To Pests

According to Washington State University, pest numbers across the Inland Northwest remain fairly low for potato growers, but that can chance quickly as we push through the summer heat.  WSU said potato psyllids were found on sticky cards in three monitoring network fields in the past week, and each card had a single psyllid on it.  Those numbers are expected to increase.  So far this season, potato psyllids have been collected in fields near George, Moses Lake, Mattawa, Basin City, Eltopia, and Pasco.

Beet leafhoppers were found on 85% of traps last week.  The sticky cards with BLH averaged 9 per card, which is down from 13 per card during the first week of July.  The numbers are on a decreasing trend, following the late June.

Aphids were found in 53% of the fields we monitored this week.  The field with the largest number of aphids last week had 2 aphids per plant, down from 4 aphids per plant a week earlier.

Lygus bug numbers are increasing.  WSU reported finding lygus bugs in 95% of the fields monitored.

Growers with questions about pests in their field are encouraged to contact their local extension office.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com