Test of communication between potato plants in response to herbivory by the Colorado potato beetle

Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata is among the most destructive pests of potatoes quickly developing resistance to traditional insecticides. In the present study, we tested the effect of various species and strains of entomopathogenic nematodes on CPB adults, and subsequently, the most effective nematodes were applied alone and in combination with entomopathogenic fungus B. bassiana in pots with potato plants and in the field and their effect on the number of emerging adults was evaluated. In the experimental infections, both the nematode invasion and pathogenicity were variable, and, in several strains, the mortality reached 100%. In pot experiments, soil application of nematodes S. carpocapsae 1343 and S. feltiae Jakub and fungus significantly decreased numbers of emerging CPB adults, while, after the application on leaves, only fungal treatment was effective. The field application of fungus B. bassiana significantly decreased the number of emerging CPB adults in comparison to control sites by ca. 30% while the effect of nematodes and the nematodes–fungus combination was not significant. In conclusion, we demonstrate the necessity of thorough bioassays to select the most effective nematode strains. Entomopathogenic nematodes have the potential to effectively decrease the emergence of CPB adults, but further research is needed to improve the effectiveness in the field.

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Technical Feasibility of Pneumatic Control on Colorado Potato Beetle

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.30.4.828f ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 828F-828

Author(s):

Benolt Lacasse ◽

C. Laguë ◽

S. Yelle ◽

P.M. Roy ◽

M. Khelifi

Keyword(s):

Colorado Potato Beetle ◽

Travel Speed ◽

Field Trials ◽

The Other ◽

Technical Feasibility ◽

Pneumatic Control ◽

Potato Plants ◽

Field Effects ◽

Other Hand ◽

Potato Beetle

A front-mounted prototype designed to pneumatically remove Colorado potato beetles (CPB) from potato plants was tested in the field. Effects of different combinations of airflow velocities, nozzle widths, and travel speeds were investigated. Results showed that capture and dislodging of CPBs were better for adults and big larvae (L3 & L4). On the other hand, neither the airflow width and velocity nor the travel speed affected significantly the dislodging and the collection of small larvae. Field trials on the removal of larvae under the effect of different travel speeds showed that, the slower the prototype moved, the better was the collection of L3-L4 larvae. This study demonstrates the potential of pneumatic control of adult and L3-L4 CPBs.

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Transgenic potato plants expressing cry3A gene confer resistance to Colorado potato beetle

Comptes Rendus Biologies ◽

10.1016/j.crvi.2015.04.005 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 338 (7) ◽

pp. 443-450 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Xiaoxiao Mi ◽

Xiangzhuo Ji ◽

Jiangwei Yang ◽

Lina Liang ◽

Huaijun Si ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorado Potato Beetle ◽

Transgenic Potato ◽

Potato Plants ◽

Potato Beetle ◽

Transgenic Potato Plants

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Transcriptomics-Based Approach Identifies Spinosad-Associated Targets in the Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects11110820 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 820

Author(s):

Pierre Bastarache ◽

Gabriel Wajnberg ◽

Pascal Dumas ◽

Simi Chacko ◽

Jacynthe Lacroix ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorado Potato Beetle ◽

Leptinotarsa Decemlineata ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Molecular Targets ◽

Primary Method ◽

Juvenile Hormone Esterase ◽

Potato Plants ◽

Potato Beetle ◽

Potato Crops ◽

Generation Sequencing

The Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata is an insect pest that threatens potato crops globally. The primary method to control its damage on potato plants is the use of insecticides, including imidacloprid, chlorantraniliprole and spinosad. However, insecticide resistance has been frequently observed in Colorado potato beetles. The molecular targets and the basis of resistance to imidacloprid and chlorantraniliprole have both been previously quantified. This work was undertaken with the overarching goal of better characterizing the molecular changes associated with spinosad exposure in this insect pest. Next-generation sequencing was conducted to identify transcripts that were differentially expressed between Colorado potato beetles exposed to spinosad versus control insects. Results showed several transcripts that exhibit different expression levels between the two conditions, including ones coding for venom carboxylesterase-6, chitinase 10, juvenile hormone esterase and multidrug resistance-associated protein 4. In addition, several microRNAs, such as miR-12-3p and miR-750-3p, were also modulated in the investigated conditions. Overall, this work reveals a molecular footprint underlying spinosad response in Colorado potato beetles and provides novel leads that could be targeted as part of RNAi-based approaches to control this insect pest.

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Effects of a Prototype Pneumatic Machine to Control the Colorado Potato Beetle on Potato Plant Growth and Tuber Yield

Transactions of the ASABE ◽

10.13031/trans.14734 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 64 (6) ◽

pp. 2035-2044

Author(s):

Saad Almady ◽

Mohamed Khelifi

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Colorado Potato Beetle ◽

Tuber Yield ◽

Control Method ◽

Insect Pest ◽

Pneumatic Control ◽

Potato Plants ◽

Potato Beetle ◽

Biological Insecticide ◽

Leptinotarsa Decemlineata Say

HighlightsA prototype pneumatic machine used to control the Colorado potato beetle (CPB) had no effect on potato plant growth.Yields in pneumatic treatment plots were comparable to those of control plots treated with a biological insecticide.Pneumatic control of the CPB could be an alternative to reduce reliance on chemical insecticides in potato fields.Abstract. The Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is the major insect pest of potato plants. Currently, the most effective method for controlling the CPB is to apply chemical insecticides throughout its lifecycle. However, the CPB has the ability to resist most chemical insecticides. Control of this insect pest has therefore become extremely difficult, prompting researchers to explore effective alternatives. The use of pneumatic methods to control the CPB is a promising alternative to chemical means. The objective of this study was to develop an effective pneumatic control method for the CPB to reduce the reliance on chemical insecticides in potato fields. In this context, a prototype pneumatic machine was designed and built. The prototype uses positive air pressure to dislodge CPBs from potato foliage, deposit them on the ground between the rows, and crush them. The effects of three airflow velocities (45, 50, and 55 m s-1) and two tractor travel speeds (5 and 6 km h-1) on CPB control, plant growth, and tuber yield were investigated in potato plots. Overall, the results showed no significant differences in yield between treatments (p = 0.3268), indicating that the yield of potato plants treated with the prototype was comparable to that of plants treated with a biological insecticide (Entrust). In addition, the prototype did not have any negative effects on plant growth. This suggests that the prototype could be safely and efficiently used in potato fields to control the CPB. The success of this innovative control method could greatly contribute to reducing the use of chemical insecticides to control the CPB. Keywords: Airflow velocity, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), Pneumatic control, Potato, Travel speed.

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