Evaluating large-scale monitoring of the potato psyllid (Hemiptera: Triozidae) in the Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington

In 2011, zebra chip disease was reported for the first time in the Columbia Basin. Zebra chip (ZC) is caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum and can kill plants in less than two weeks. Infected tubers develop dark, striped lesions: reducing quality and resulting in yield loss. The vector of ZC is the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc). In order to control ZC disease, growers must be able to detect the first potato psyllids migrating into potato fields. While numerous monitoring techniques are used for the potato psyllid in other regions (i.e., Texas or California), none of these monitoring tactics have been evaluated in the Pacific Northwest. Therefore the main objective of this research was to investigate and implement large-scale commercial monitoring for potato psyllids in the Columbia Basin. To accomplish this goal, eight fields in Oregon and Washington were monitored using sticky cards, D-vac (inverted leaf blower) and leaf samples. Sampling occurred weekly throughout the 2012 and 2013 field seasons. In 2012, there were no significant edge effects when monitoring potato psyllids in the Pacific Northwest (F = 2.04; df = 4, 28; P = 0.116). D-vac sampling detected the first migrating adult psyllids two weeks ahead of sticky cards. Several sticky cards were also tested. AlphaScents Yellow and Pherocon AM cards consistently caught more potato psyllid adults than the other sticky cards tested (F = 6.09; df = 3, 9; P = 0.015). The results for 2013 and the implications for potato psyllid management will be discussed.