Journal of Economic Entomology (1996) 89, 475-480

Brian A. Nault and George G. Kennedy (1996)
Evaluation of Colorado potato beetle (Coleoptera Chrysomelidae) defoliation with concomitant European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) damage on potato yield
Journal of Economic Entomology 89 (2), 475-480
Abstract: The relationship between Irish potato, Solanum tuberosum L., yield and Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), defoliation has been established in many regions but rarely has been considered coincident damage by other pests. In eastern North Carolina, the Colorado potato beetle and the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner), attack potato each spring, and the potential exists for reduced potato yields caused by a combination of potato beetle and corn borer damage. Yields from potatoes damaged by both pests were evaluated in small-plot experiments for 3 yr. Plant damage was achieved by manipulating pest densities with insecticides and by augmenting plots with potato beetles from nearby commercial fields. Yields were measured at the end of each growing season in late June to early July. Defoliation caused by Colorado potato beetle during bloom significantly reduced yields of U.S. No. 1 tubers in 'Atlantic' each year, whereas European corn borer damage did not. Absence of an interaction effect between corn borer damage and defoliation on potato yield indicated that the yield/damage relationship for each pest can be defined independently.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Brian A. Nault, George G. Kennedy

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
damage/losses/economics
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Leptinotarsa decemlineata	Potato (Solanum tuberosum)	U.S.A. (NE)
	Ostrinia nubilalis	Potato (Solanum tuberosum)	U.S.A. (NE)