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Integrated control of potato tubermoth Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) in Tunisia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

R. von Arx ,
J. Goueder ,
M. Cheikh  and
A. Ben Temime
R. von Arx*
Affiliation:
Centre International de la Pomme de Terre (CIP) 11, Rue des Orangers 2080 Ariana, Tunisia.
J. Goueder
Affiliation:
Laboratoire d'Entomologie, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique de Tunisie (INRAT), Route de la Soukra, 2080 Ariana, Tunisia
M. Cheikh
Affiliation:
Laboratoire d'Entomologie, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique de Tunisie (INRAT), Route de la Soukra, 2080 Ariana, Tunisia
A. Ben Temime
Affiliation:
Laboratoire d'Entomologie, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique de Tunisie (INRAT), Route de la Soukra, 2080 Ariana, Tunisia
*
*Address for correspondence.
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Abstract

In North Africa, the potato tubermoth Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) is an important pest in traditional, non-refrigerated potato stores. A collaborative research programme of the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique de Tunisie (INRAT) and the International Potato Center (CIP) investigates the relationships between, (a) the dynamics of the field populations, (b) the harvest date, (c) the economic damage in the field, and (d) the subsequent damage in stores under Tunisian conditions. Emphasis was given to the identification of cultural practices that allowed reduction of pesticide applications and to the replacement of the commonly used parathion with less toxic products.

Potato tubermoth control was achieved by applying a synthetic pyrethroid (permethrin) or Bacillus thuringiensis at the beginning of the storage period. The latter, however, seemed to be less effective on tubers with a high initial infestation (over 20%). The studies showed that tuber damage could be avoided by an early harvest and insecticide applications in the field were not indicated.

An integrated control approach including an early harvest date (to reduce initial tuber infestation), and the application of B. thuringiensis or a synthetic pyrethroid is being developed.

Résumé

La teigne de la pomme de terre Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) constitue un ravageur important de la pomme de terre en stockage traditionnel sans réfrigération en Afrique du Nord. La collaboration entre l'Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRAT) et le Centre International de la Pomme de Terre (CIP), entretient un programme de recherche qui comprend (a) la dynamique des populations (b) la date d'arrachage, (c) l'étude des dégâts économiques dans les champs et (d) les dégâts ultérieurs pendant le stockage sous les conditions tunisiennes. L'accent a été mis sur l'importance des méthodes culturales qui pourraient réduire les traitements insecticides et le remplacement du parathion utilisé dans les lieux de stockage par des produits moins toxiques.

Le contrôle de la teigne de la pomme de terre a été assuré par l'application d'un Pyrethrinoide de synthèse (permethrine) ou de Bacillus thuringiensis au début du stockage.

Ce dernier semble être moins efficace sur les tubercules ayant une infestation initiale élevée (>20%). l'étude a montré que les dégâts sur tubercules peuvent être très réduits par une récolte précoce et que l'application de produit insecticide sur la culture en champs n'est past nécessaire. Une lutte intégrée en incluant une date d'arrachage avancée (pour réduire l'infestation initiale des tubercules) et l'application de B. thuringiensis ou un pyrethrinoide de synthèse est possible.

Keywords

Potato tubermothPhthorimaea operculellaintegrated pest managementpyrethroidpermethrinBacillus thuringiensisharvest datepotatostorageTunisiaTeigne de la pomme de terrelutte intégréepyrethrinoidedate d'arrachagestockage traditionnelpomme de terreTunisie
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 8 , Issue 4-5-6: Recent Advances in Research on Tropical Entomology , December 1987 , pp. 989 - 994
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1987

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References

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