Relative susceptibility of selected potato cultivars to two wireworm species

Relative Susceptibility of Selected Potato Cultivars to Two Wireworm Species

Kevin W. Langdon and Mark R. Abney

Irish potato, Solanum tuberosum L., is one of the most economically important specialty crops in North Carolina. Wireworms, the larval form of click beetles, are subterranean polyphagous insects that attack many crops including potato. The incidence of wireworm damage to Irish potato has increased significantly in recent years. Six potato cultivars commonly grown in NC were exposed to the wireworms Melanotus communis (Gyllenhal) and Glyphonyx bimarginatus (Schaeffer) under no-choice conditions in the laboratory to determine the relative susceptibility of these cultivars to wireworm feeding. Individual tubers were exposed to wireworm herbivory for 25d. Little is known about the feeding habits of G. bimarginatus; this study also evaluated the potential economic impact of Glyphonyx bimarginatus on potato. Melanotus communis is known to be a pest of potato. Dark Red Norland and Yukon Gold cultivars sustained more wireworm feeding damage relative to other varieties tested; Atlantic sustained the least wireworm damage. Glyphonyx bimarginatus fed little, indicating that they are not an economically important pest of potato.  The overarching goal of this research is to develop management strategies for wireworm in Irish potato based on implementation of reduced risk practices.