Other Beneficial Organisms

Other Beneficial Organisms

General Information:

Spiders and predatory damsel and big-eyed bugs are known to be abundant and important predators, but there are many other insects that may prey on potato pests from time to time. Below are a few examples.

Flower fly larvae (Syrphidae)

Flower flies are also known as hover flies; the adults often mimic bees and feed on nectar, while the larvae are mostly predators of aphids and similar insects.

Lady Beetles (Coccinelidae)

The beetles many people know as “ladybugs” are also common in potato fields. Although they are most well-known as aphid predators, they are in fact generalist predators, interested in eating most insects that they can overcome.

Brown lacewings (Hemerobiidae)

Lacewings are voracious predators of aphids and other soft-bodied insects. They pierce their prey with the curved mouthparts and suck out the body fluids.

Aphidoletes midges (Cecidomyiidae)

Not as common as lady beetles and flower flies, predatory gall midges are undeniably cool – capable of overpowering and eating aphids much larger than themselves. Gall midge larvae are characteristically the reddish color seen in the photo below. Other, fungus-feeding, species of Cecidomyiidae are also sometimes seen in potato fields.

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Insects, Diseases, Nematodes, & Beneficial Organisms

Find out more information about insects, diseases, nematodes, and beneficial organisms for Potatoes.

About The Northwest Potato Research Consortium

In February 2012 the state potato commissions in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon officially launched a new cooperative effort in research. The aim of this initiative is to increase cooperation and efficiency of the research programs funded by the three potato commissions that total about $1.5 million annually. It will also work toward comprehensive research results reporting process that aims to get useful information to the growers and industry members who need it. This website is a big part of that effort. Research results, integrated pest management guidance, and production information of many kinds will be presented here. For feedback or suggestions on this site, please contact Raina Spence, Manager of the Consortium.

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Research Library

A useful and resourceful research library available with a wealth of knowledge and insight into potato data from in field experience.

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