Market Farming

["Jill Taylor Bussiere" <jdt AT itol.com>]

Shelley,

 

The young of CO po beetles are completely different than the adult - they vary from teeny tiny orangey creatures to soft-bodied creatures that are as big as the beetle.  And they vary a bit in the amount of black that they have on their orangey selves.  And usually, the young of the CO po. beetle are at all varying sizes at the same time, so if the ones you found are all the same size, I would guess that they aren't the CO beetle - adding strength to your guess.  You can also look on the underside of the potato leaves - the eggs are bright yellow, and layed in masses of individuals.  I crush them with my thumb when I see them - it is laborious to go through and find them all, as they are good at hiding them, and the crushing sometimes bruises the leaves - but leaves nowhere near the amount of damage that would occur if they hatch out.

 

I would still go for hand picking - since we don't know what it is.

 

I looked on a few potato pest sites, and can't find anything like what you describe - so maybe it is a pest that is desperate, and can't find its usual fare, so it had to eat potatoes!  It sure does sound like the young of the CO beetle, though.  - Jill

----- Original Message -----

From: IdleThymeFarm AT aol.com

To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org

Sent: Sunday, August 24, 2003 1:11 PM

Subject: [Market-farming] Re: Potato Help Please

>Are the bugs you describe the younglings of the potato beetle?  They sound like it - have you seen them before?<

I have never seen them before. They could be young Colorado Potato Beetles but they seem completely different. From, body structure to markings I cannot see a single resemblance. And that black sticky tar...the bottom of the jar where I have kept some is completely covered with it.

I did find about 4 CO Potato Potatoe Beetles while I was picking the mystery pest but I have over 200 Rose Finn plants so I don't think that the CO Potato Beetle is at a problem stage anymore. Also, I found none of the mystery pest on the same plants as the Potato Beetles

Shelly Elliott
Idle Thyme Farm
www.IdleThymeFarm.com