Vegetable Crop Insects – April 19, 2013

Joanne Whalen, Extension IPM Specialist; jwhalen@udel.edu

Asparagus
Be sure to check asparagus spears for eggs as well as adult beetles feeding on spears. As a general guideline, a treatment is recommended if 2% of the spears are infested with eggs. Since adults will also feed on the spears, a treatment is recommended if 5% of the plants are infested with adults. For a picture of asparagus beetle eggs, adults and larvae please refer to the following link:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/M1199.html

Potatoes
As soon as plants emerge, be sure to sample fields for Colorado potato beetle adults, especially if an at-planting material was not used. A treatment should not be needed for adults until you find 25 beetles per 50 plants and defoliation has reached the 10% level