Last year’s warmer-than-usual conditions in central Minnesota and portions of the Red River Valley brought a strong emergence of the Colorado Potato Beetle. University of Minnesota Extension Entomologist Ian MacRae says Colorado Potato Beetle can survive a northern winter. Snow also provides good insulation. “I would anticipate we could see good winter survivorship, which is not good news. That means keeping an eye on fields in the spring for adults entering the fields is important.” When potatoes start to leaf out, farmers should be scouting for the Colorado Potato Beetle. MacRae says insecticide resistance can also be a problem in controlling the pest.
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