Seasonal population fluctuation of the potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli (Hemiptera:Triozidae) in the lower Columbia Basin

The lower Columbia Basin in the Pacific Northwest is one of the most important areas of potato production in the United States with an estimated yield/acre of 29 ton. However, the advent of Zebra Chip, a major potato disease transmitted by the potato psyllid Bactericera cockerelli, has risen concerns due to the potential threat this pest may represent to the potato industry. The population fluctuation of B. cockerelli has been determined by monitoring adults and nymphs in the alternative host plant Solanum dulcamara and in potato fields. Based on preliminary data, B. cockerelli populations decrease during winter and increase in mid spring with the first spring generation occurring around May, 10. Following the monitoring program implemented in 2012 this study was expanded to include the 2013 season in order to obtain two years of data. Monitoring data from commercial potato fields selected based on the presence of the disease in 2012 are presented.