ARS | Publication request: POTATO TUBERWORM PEROMONE TRAPPING

Submitted to: Potato Progress
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 11, 2006
Publication Date: February 2, 2006
Citation: Landolt, P.J., Jensen, A. 2006. Potato tuberworm peromone trapping. Potato Progress. 6(1): 1-2

Interpretive Summary: The potato tuberworm is a recent but serious pest of potato in the lower Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington, and is a threat to potato growing areas of adjacent Idaho. The sex pheromone of the tuberworm is used in traps to monitor the presence, spread, and abundance of the pest in potato fields. Researchers at the USDA, ARS Yakima Agricultural Research Laboratory, Wapato, WA are working with researchers and collaborators at the Washington State Potato Commission, Oregon State University, University of Idaho, Oregon State Department of Agriculture, and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture to track the spread of the pest and to provide support to growers. Advice is provided on the pheromone and trap to use, trap placement, trap density, and other parameters. This information provides best monitoring practices to maximize the usefulness of data obtained from trapping.

Technical Abstract: The potato tuberworm is a recent but serious pest of potato in the lower Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington, and is a threat to potato growing areas of adjacent Idaho. The sex pheromone of the tuberworm is used in traps to monitor the presence, spread, and abundance of the pest in potato fields. Advice is provided on the pheromone and trap to use, trap placement, trap density, and other parameters. It is recommended that researchers and growers use a Delta style trap and the two-component pheromone lures so that data methods are standardized and can be shared. Trap and lure maintenance suggestions are also provided. This information provides best monitoring practices to maximize the usefulness of data obtained from trapping.