Potatoes

Pests of Field Crops in Southern Africa

POTATOES

(Solanum tuberosum, Solanaceae)

Text Box: There are a number of leaf eaters that will appear in potato crops. These include lesser armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), semi-looper (Chrysodeixis acuta), the spectacular tailed hawkmoth caterpillar (Acherontia atropos), leaf-eating ladybirds (chiefly Epilachna hirta), blue-black blister beetles (Cyanolytta spp.), “slug” beetles (Lema spp.) and tortoise beetles (Aspidomorpha spp.). Few of them are considered to be of real importance as pests of potato, although some local damage may be caused. TOP

Text Box: See general section. In recent years Liriomyza has become quite a significant pest of potato crops. Since the edible portion of the crop is not attacked, in general, it would be better if the pest was left to come under natural control, although if sprays were applied for other pests, this would obviously not be possible. Of perhaps more importance is that the damage caused by the leafminers allows leaf diseases such as early and late blight to become established more rapidly, so that disease control becomes critical. TOP

Liriomyza Leafminer

Þ Aphids (Potato)

Þ False Wireworms (see general section)

Þ Potato Tuber Moth

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Þ Whitefly (see general section)

Liriomyza Leafminer

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Þ Cutworms (See general section)

Text Box: Also known as eelworm this pest has not been described on this website but it may be regarded as one of the more serious pests of potatoes. Damage is noticeable on the tubers as raised bumps on their surface, which have a glassy appearance when sliced through. These are actually the swollen bodies of reproducing female nematodes. They are more of a problem on light soils, or when rotations are too tight. It is important that potatoes are rotated with non-host crops, such as those of a graminaceous nature. TOP

Þ Red Spider Mite (see general section)

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Root Knot Nematodes

Root Knot Nematodes

Liriomyza tunnels in a potato leaf.

Hawkmoth caterpillar.