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Potato leaves are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases, some of which are unique to Australia. These include slugs, snails, 28-spotted ladybugs, leaf-eating ladybirds, thrips, and psyllids. While some of these pests may only cause minor damage, others can have a significant impact on potato crops, affecting the plant's vigour, growth, and yield. In this article, we will explore the different creatures that eat potato leaves in Australia, the damage they cause, and the methods farmers use to control them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | 28-spotted ladybug, leaf-eating ladybird, Epilachna, psyllid, zebra chip, potato cyst nematode, pill bugs, slugs, thrips |
| Scientific Name | Epilachna sp. |
| Colour | Orange with black spots |
| Size | 6mm |
| Diet | Soft leaf tissue |
| Location | Indonesia, Western Australia |
| Damage | Irreversible harm to leaves, overall plant collapse |
| Treatment | Pyrethrum, contact insecticide, natural predators (e.g. birds) |
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Slugs and snails
One approach is to set up beer traps near the potato plants. Slugs and snails are attracted to the yeast in beer, and they will be trapped and drown in the liquid. This method is effective but may require persistent effort as slug and snail populations can be high.
Another strategy is to create physical barriers that make it difficult for slugs and snails to access the potato plants. This can be achieved by surrounding the plants with a barrier of diatomaceous earth, which is sharp and acts as an irritant to slugs and snails, deterring them from crossing it. Alternatively, a smooth metal or plastic collar placed around the base of each plant can prevent slugs and snails from climbing up and reaching the leaves.
In addition to traps and barriers, it is important to maintain good garden hygiene. Slugs and snails are attracted to decaying organic matter, so removing any piles of leaves, grass clippings, or other debris can help reduce their presence. Regularly inspecting the plants and handpicking any slugs or snails that are found can also be an effective control method.
By implementing these strategies, it is possible to significantly reduce the damage caused by slugs and snails to potato plants in Australia. A combination of traps, barriers, and garden hygiene practices can help protect potato crops and improve their chances of thriving.
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26/28-spotted ladybugs
The 26/28-spotted ladybug, also known as the 28-spotted potato ladybird (Epilachna vigintioctopunctata), is a leaf-eating pest commonly found in Australian vegetable gardens. Its distinctive appearance includes an orange body covered in many black spots, with the number of spots varying from 23 to 28. These ladybugs are larger than other ladybug species and are easy to spot due to their bright colours.
These ladybugs are commonly found on potato leaves, tomato plants, eggplants, cabbages, and other common leafy crops. They chew on the foliage, creating small transparent holes. While some gardeners may not consider them a major threat, others recommend controlling their population to prevent damage to crops.
One method of control is to simply squash the ladybugs or drown them in a container with water or vinegar. However, this approach may not be necessary unless the population is high and causing significant damage. It is also important to watch out for the larvae of these ladybugs, as they can be more destructive and cause irreversible harm to plants if left unchecked.
The 26/28-spotted ladybugs are often found on a variety of crops, including tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, chillies, cucumbers, zucchini, melons, and pumpkins. They can procreate quickly, leading to a larger population of hungry larvae that can impact the health of plants. Therefore, it is essential for gardeners to monitor their gardens and take appropriate action if these ladybugs are causing significant damage.
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Leaf-eating ladybirds
In Australia, there are over 100 species of ladybirds, and most gardeners would be able to recognise their brightly coloured appearance. While most ladybirds are beneficial to gardens, eating aphids, some are pests that can cause irreversible damage to crops by eating leaves. One such species is the 28-spotted potato ladybird (Epilachna vigintioctopunctata), which is a leaf eater with a large appetite. This species of ladybird has between 23 and 28 spots on its body, with 14 spots on one side, usually mirrored on the other. The 28-spotted ladybird is known to feed on a range of crops, including tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, chillies, cucumbers, zucchini, melons, and pumpkins.
The 28-spotted ladybird is easy to catch, and some methods of dealing with them include squashing them or flicking them into a container with water or vinegar to drown. However, some people choose to leave some of the ladybirds on their plants to serve as a food source for birds or other predators. It is important to watch out for the larvae of these ladybirds, as they can be more destructive than the adults, and a large number of them can cause irreversible harm to plants by eating the leaves.
To control the 28-spotted leaf-eating ladybird organically, gardeners can remove a weed called blackberry nightshade, which is a favourite food plant for this species. By pulling out this weed, the ladybirds are less likely to infest the garden. For outbreaks of powdery mildew on plants, a mixture of one part fresh milk to five parts water can be sprayed on the plants weekly to control the fungus without harming any beneficial ladybirds.
While the 26-spotted ladybird is also considered a pest, one gardener describes how they have never felt the need to actively seek and destroy this species in their backyard. They suggest that the 26-spotted ladybird may not be as harmful as it is often described.
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Aphids
Potato aphids are 3-4 mm long, with cornicles the same colour as the body with dark tips. They are faster than other aphid species and complete 2-6 generations on rose plants in winter before moving on to summer hosts, including potatoes and tomatoes. Fields should be scouted for aphids starting in late June, with insecticide application recommended when an average of five aphids per leaf are present, or 10 per leaf within two weeks of vine kill.
To manage aphids, farmers should plant disease-free seeds and control weeds in and around fields. Biological control agents, such as ladybugs, can be effective against aphids, as can insecticides like Admire Pro, Movento, and Sivanto Prime. Banker plants supporting Aphidius colemani and Aphidoletes midges can also help control aphid populations, as can green lacewing larvae, which feed on many aphid species.
In addition to the green peach aphid and potato aphid, other aphid species may occasionally infest potatoes. These include the melon aphid and the Macrosiphum euphorbiae aphid, which may colonize fields from mid-June through July.
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Thrips
In potatoes, over 90% of thrips found are western flower thrips, which originated in western North America and is now a major pest worldwide. Some species of thrips are vectors for the tomato spotted wilt virus, with western flower thrips being the most efficient vector. The virus reduces crop yield and tuber quality.
To control thrips, low to medium toxicity pesticides such as Spinosad, Spinetoram, and Abamectin can be used. Plant essential oils such as canola, clove, and garlic have also shown some efficacy in controlling thrips, with some formulations being OMRI-listed for organic use. Additionally, weed control is a good management strategy as thrips can invade potato crops from nearby weeds.
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Frequently asked questions
Some common pests that eat potato leaves in Australia include slugs, snails, 28-spotted ladybugs, leaf-eating ladybirds, and thrips.
If you notice small transparent holes in your potato leaves, it is likely that 28-spotted ladybugs are the culprits. You can also look out for the ladybugs themselves on the leaves—they are orange with black spots.
If there are only a few 28-spotted ladybugs, they are unlikely to cause significant damage to your potato plants. However, if there are a large number of them, you may need to take action to prevent irreversible harm or plant collapse. You can try catching and squashing them, drowning them in a container with water or vinegar, or spraying them with pyrethrum.
Thrips are very small, so you are more likely to notice the effects of their feeding than the insects themselves. Look out for distorted or silvery grey leaves, particularly on the underside of the leaf. A 10x magnifier can help you clearly see the insects, which are small, cigar-shaped, and vary in colour from grey to yellow to brown or black.
