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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wapato, Washington » Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #193215
Title: MICROBIAL CONTROL OF THE POTATO TUBER MOTH (LEPIDOPTERA: GELECHIIDAE)

Author
item Lacey, Lawrence
item Arthurs, Steven

Submitted to: Proceedings Washington State Potato Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2006
Publication Date: 8/17/2006
Citation: Lacey, L.A., Arthurs, S.P. 2006. Microbial control of the potato tuber moth (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). Proc. Washington State Potato Conference. Feb. 2006: 95-106.

Interpretive Summary: The potato tuber moth (PTM) is a widespread pest of potato plants and tubers throughout the tropics and subtropics in most countries where potatoes are grown, including the United States. Recently PTM has become established in potato growing areas of the temperate Pacific Northwest of the United States (Eastern Washington and Oregon) where it is regarded as a major pest of potato. Current means of control prior to harvest comprise several broad spectrum insecticides and cultural methods. The preharvest interval of most chemical insecticides does not permit treatment of tubers just prior to storage. Researchers at the USDA-ARS, Yakima Agricultural Research Laboratory are conducting studies to develop and evaluate several insect specific pathogens and nematodes for control of PTM in the field and in stored potatoes. Specifically a virus, nematode and fungus are being tested for their activity against PTM.

Technical Abstract: Potato tuber moth (PTM) is a serious pest of stored potato in most countries where potatoes are grown. Pathogens that are specific to insects offer promise as alternatives to broad spectrum insecticides for management of this pest. A diverse spectrum of microscopic and multicellular organisms (bacteria, fungi, virus, protozoa, and nematodes) parasitize and kill insect pests of virtually every crop. Several of these have been developed as microbial pesticides, some of which have been used to control certain insect pests of potato including PTM. Microbial control agents have no pre-harvest interval, are safe for application personnel, the food supply, and most non-target organisms including beneficial insects. Substantial effort has gone into the development of certain microbial agents for PTM control in several countries worldwide. In contrast, only limited attention has been paid to biopesticides for PTM control in the United States. In this overview we present information regarding the development and potential of virus, bacteria, fungi, and nematodes for control of PTM.