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Potatoes Australia August/September 2016
The preferred host for CPB is
potato, with certain cultivars
being more attractive than
others. As beetles fly or walk
when looking for a new host
plant, they use sight and smell
to direct them.
Although the young require
potato plants to reach
adulthood, once grown, the
CPB can feed on a broad range
of hosts. These can include
many Solanaceous crops, such
as tomato and eggplant, as well
as weeds such as nightshade
and, importantly, a number
of Australian native bush
tomatoes. This means that
they would find hosts that
would act as a corridor
throughout the country if they
were to arrive in Australia.
The CPB is very difficult to
effectively control. One
cultural method is to rotate
crops far away from the
previous season’s location. As
the beetles emerge, they must
crawl to a suitable host that
Any unusual plant pest should be reported immediately to the relevant
state or territory agriculture agency through the Exotic Plant Pest
Hotline: 1800 084 881.
For further information, contact AUSVEG National Manager – Scientific
Affairs Dr Jessica Lye or AUSVEG Biosecurity and Special Projects
Coordinator Callum Fletcher on 03 9882 0277 or jessica.lye@ausveg.
or
This communication has been funded by Horticulture Innovation
Australia Limited using the Fresh Potato Levy and funds from the
Australian Government.
Project Number: PT15007
i
A VERY POLITICAL HISTORY
Interestingly, the Colorado potato beetle has witnessed many of
modern history’s key political events. It arrived on the American
east coast during the Civil War and then established itself in
France as a result of the First World War, before spreading to
Russia during the Second World War.
Beetle propaganda
The beetle also played a starring role in Cold War propaganda
(see images below). In 1950, the East German government
accused the Americans of dropping Colorado potato beetles on
their paddocks from aircraft. Posters were produced calling them
‘Yankee Beetles’ and children were sent out to collect them for
destruction. There was even a Czechoslovakian children’s story
book produced that depicted the American plot (see image above).
A translation of the title is: On the evil potato-eating beetle: The
Colorado American who wants to rob from our plates. However,
there is very little evidence to support these claims.
may be far away. Trench traps
that are set to trap the beetles
as they migrate can also help.
There are a number of insect
predators of CPB, including
native parasitoids and general
predators such as green
lacewings and some ladybirds.
The problem is that in most
cases, these natural predators
are unable to keep up with the
CPB numbers in the crop. CPB
numbers grow at a faster rate
than predator reproduction
and once the CPB migrate
underground, the predator’s
food source disappears.
European efforts to introduce
multiple American predators
as a means of control have not
been particularly effective.
The CPB has an ability to
develop resistance to nearly all
insecticide actives that have
been used to attempt to control
it. This includes many of the
neonicotinoids and spinosad,
while some of the newer actives
are also quickly showing
declining efficacy.
The best form of control
is grower vigilance and
strict on-farm biosecurity
measures so that CPB can be
eradicated before it establishes
itself in Australia.
A Czechoslovakian children’s story
book about the Colorado potato beetle.
Cold War propaganda featuring the Colorado potato beetle.