Potato Pests

Peach-potato aphid (Myzus persicae)
	Myzus persicae (Peach-potato aphid) is the most serious aphid pest in potatoes. Myzus persicae is the key carrier of a range of viruses affecting seed and susceptible ware crops (see section ‘Virus control in potatoes’). Some strains of Myzus persicae have developed resistance to organophosphate, carbamate and/or pyrethroid insecticides.	Where reduced efficacy from one insecticide type is suspected, then ACTARA or PLENUM - to which there is no known resistance - should be used for subsequent applications. Maintain protection with HALLMARK ZEON for fast action and repellent activity.	ACTARA PLENUM HALLMARK ZEON APHOX
Other aphids
	A number of aphid species can colonise potato crops, these include: Potato aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae), Buckthorn-potato aphid (Aphis nasturtii) and Glasshouse and potato aphid (Aulacorthum solani). All of these aphids can spread persistent and non-persistent viruses within the crop. Many other aphid species including; Rose-grain aphid, Bird cherry-oat aphid and Grain aphid are capable of spreading non-persistent viruses if they probe crops while looking for a host plant.	Treat when aphid numbers are building rapidly and reach threshold levels. HALLMARK ZEON and APHOX all provide rapid knockdown of aphids. PLENUM or ACTARA should be used if large numbers of Myzus persicae are present, or growers suspect a reduced level of control from previous applications.	ACTARA PLENUM HALLMARK ZEON APHOX
Cutworm (Agrotis segetum)
	Cutworm is the name given to the subterranean life-stage of Turnip moth caterpillars. After feeding on foliage, caterpillars moult and fall to the ground, burrowing into the soil and feeding on roots - including potato tubers. Cutworms also nibble off shoots causing plant die back.	Cutworm can not be controlled in the soil, but caterpillars may be targeted on the foliage.
Silver Y moth (Autographa gamma)
	Large numbers of Silver Y moth can migrate in from southern Europe. Caterpillars of this pest can cause significant damage feeding on potato crop foliage. Early migration of adult moths into the UK can result in up to 3 generations of caterpillars.		HALLMARK ZEON

Potato aphid control advice
	Commence aphid control programmes according to official risk warnings, or as soon as local aphid migration risk has been identified. Potatoes are most susceptible to virus transmission during early growth stages, when they require greatest protection. Insecticide resistance to Myzus persicae may lead to reduced efficacy of some products. No resistance to ACTARA or PLENUM has been identified and they should be included routinely in the control programme. Use ACTARA early in the season to eliminate over-wintered resistant aphid strains. ACTARA provides valuable residual activity to maintain aphid control. Maintain protection with HALLMARK ZEON for fast action and repellent activity.
	Where aphid feeding damage is the primary concern, crops should be treated when aphid numbers are building rapidly and reach threshold levels. HALLMARK ZEON and APHOX all provide rapid knockdown of damaging aphid populations. PLENUM or ACTARA should be used if large numbers of Myzus persicae are present, or growers suspect a reduced level of Myzus control from previous applications. Ware varieties susceptible to virus spread during the growing season, such as Russet Burbank and Estima, should be treated as a seed crop.

Virus control in potatoes

Virus transmission by aphids will ruin a potato seed crop and cause high levels of loss in susceptible ware varieties.

Rapid aphid knockdown and repellency are essential for control of non-persistent viruses, which are transmitted rapidly when aphids start feeding, eg, mosaic viruses PVY and PVA. ACTARA kills aphids as quickly as pyrethroid insecticides, whilst HALLMARK ZEON has been shown to have repellent activity to dissuade migrating aphids from feeding on the crop.

ACTARA is the only neonicotinoid insecticide with the speed and proven

efficacy to gain label approval for the reduction of viruses in potatoes.

Other aphid species e.g. Rose-grain aphid and Bird cherry-oat aphid are all capable of transmitting non-persistent viruses, as they probe the potato plants while looking for a suitable host.

Persistent viruses, such as PLRV are only transmitted after prolonged feeding. ACTARA and PLENUM provide long-lasting protection against feeding damage caused by aphids.

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Potato Pests