The Colorado beetle is considered one of the most common and "enduring" pests in our potato fields. Indeed, this insect perfectly survives in a variety of conditions, as it can manage without food for several months. The Colorado beetle belongs to the family of leaf-eaters and reaches rather large sizes - up to a centimeter in length. Thanks to its sturdy wings, the insect can make flights over fairly long distances.
Despite the fact that the eggs of the beetle have a bright yellow color, it is not easy to notice them - they are deposited in the bends of the leaves, the cracks of the stems and the roots of the plants. Eggs are deposited during the flowering period, so that the larvae immediately receive "ready-made" food. After one pot of potato is destroyed, voracious insects move to another.
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The history of the appearance of the Colorado beetle How and where does the Colorado potato beetle appear? The best means from the Colorado potato beetle - processing of potatoes Processing of the Colorado potato beetle: folk remediesThe history of the Colorado potato beetle
The motherland of this "indestructible" pest is Mexico. With the development of agriculture in America there was a rapid reproduction of the beetle, since in those days there was no effective means of fighting this parasite. As a result, a significant part of the potato harvest perished in a few days - the first time it happened in the fields of the state of Colorado.
In the seventies of the XIX century, after the "conquest" of the North American fields, insects along with the potato lot moved to Europe. Here, with an invasion, they tried to fight and very successfully. However, with the outbreak of the First World War, the beetle continued to "conquer" the fields of France, from where it gradually moved to the territory of the former USSR. So, the Transcarpathian region became a place of "meeting" of three pest colonies, which came from Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Then the beetles spread to other areas of our land, where they "successfully" remain until now.
How and where does the Colorado potato beetle appear?
With the advent of heat in the garden areas, the appearance of these "striped" flying pests is almost inevitable. Where do they come from? Here are the main options:
- Flew from neighboring gardens . This is especially noticeable if a year before the potatoes did not land - it is clear that at that time the beetles on the site did not appear. And as soon as the first sprouts of potato tubers appear in the garden, the pests are already there.
- Wintered in the soil, and in the spring they got out. Thanks to the birth of a new offspring, the beetles on the site "settled".
- Mass migrations of insects from other regions as a result of changing climatic conditions. Thus, beetles are beginning to actively explore new lands.
Whatever it was, the appearance of these parasites is causing huge damage to the potato crop. So, the owner of the garden will have to deal with the Colorado beetle.
The best remedies for the Colorado potato beetle are potato processing
Every year gardeners - truck farmers begin a long and painstaking struggle with this main potato pest. After all, it is worth to miss the moment, and the beetles for a couple of days will destroy the stems and foliage of plants even before the ripening of the tubers. So, is there an effective remedy for the Colorado potato beetle? In addition to the usual "manual collection", many different methods of combating insects for harvest are used.
Today, a lot of potato processing equipment from Colorado beetles is being sold. Most of these drugs are chemical pesticides, the effect of which leads to good results. However, when using them, you must be careful and follow all the requirements of the instructions exactly.
When is it necessary to spray the preparations from the Colorado beetle? The best time is early in the morning or late in the evening. Procedures are not recommended for use in hot weather, in order to avoid harmful poisonous fumes. On the advice of specialists, drugs should be periodically changed because of the addiction of the beetle.
Chemicals from the Colorado potato beetle
Aktara
It is used for application under the roots of plants during irrigation and lasts up to two months. Alternatively, the chemical can be sprayed - enough protection for 2 - 3 weeks. Destroys both larvae and adults.
"Korado"
The chemical preparation for the Colorado beetle gives the desired protection effect for 3 to 4 weeks from the day of spraying. At the same time, protection works both in the heat and in rainy weather. Usually, by the end of the third day of application, the beetles completely die.
"Lightning"
One of the fastest means of combating Colorado beetles - insects are destroyed after half an hour after application. And within 2 - 3 weeks you can not worry about bugs.
Biological preparations for combating the Colorado potato beetle
Most of these drugs are safe for the environment and humans, but they perfectly destroy the pest. Typically, these products are available in the form of tablets or powder, which need to be dissolved in water. The main conditions for use are temperatures not lower than 18 ° C and hot, windless weather.
"Colorado"
Spraying is carried out with a break in a week. After several hours, insects lose the ability to move and eat, and then die.
"Bitoxybacillin"
The drug from the Colorado potato beetle can be used at home. Beetles stop moving and become weak due to special bacteria spores. To achieve the full effect, 2 to 3 treatments are performed at intervals of 6 to 8 days.
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Processing colorado potato beetle: folk remedies
- A couple of days before planting potatoes on the site, you need to make several pits with a depth of 10 cm. Around these holes, pour hot coal from the stove or fire. When entering the fossa, insects perish.
- Before the emergence of the first shoots of potatoes (for 3 - 4 days) we spread a couple of buckets of potato peelings around the garden. Once the bait "bites" more parasites, you need to pour it with kerosene and set it on fire.
- Tobacco infusion - the best processing of potatoes from the Colorado beetle. For cooking, take 0.5 kg of roots or stems of tobacco, dry and finely chop. Then we insist on water (10 liters) for two days, filter and again dilute the infusion of 10 liters of water. Add to the liquid 40 - 50 gr. soap and begin the fight with the Colorado beetle.
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The Colorado beetle is an extremely durable pest that can seriously damage your potato beds. However, timely measures taken to combat and properly selected preparations against the pest will help to destroy it and provide a generous harvest of potato tubers.