Epitrix flea beetles: new threats to potato production in Europe

Abstract

Epitrix tuberis and E. cucumeris are major pests of potatoes in North America. E. tuberis causes the most serious damage because the larval feeding can cause superficial serpentine tunnelling on the surface of tubers as well as deeper pits. This damage can make crops unmarketable. By contrast, E. cucumeris mainly damages the foliage, and yield losses can occur when the adults reach high densities. In 2004, potato tuber damage characteristic of E. tuberis was seen in Portugal. In 2008, damage was more widespread and severe. E. cucumeris and a lesser known species, E. similaris, were recorded in affected fields. E. similaris has since been found across Galicia, Spain. E. similaris is thought to be the most likely cause of the tuber damage in Portugal, but it is possible that E. cucumeris or an as yet undetected Epitrix species is causing the damage. In 2010, a pest risk assessment for the Euro-Mediterranean area identified the movement of adults and pupae with seed or ware potatoes and associated soil as being the highest-risk pathways for the spread of Epitrix. In 2012, EU emergency measures were agreed to reduce the risk of further introductions and the rate of spread of these pests.

The Potato Crop

“…sp. n. and included in the list of quarantine pests in Europe (Eyre and Giltrap 2013;Malumphy et al 2016;Sanchez and Vergara 2002). Epitrix yanazara Bechyné (1959) was the major economic important species in the central highlands of Peru (Kroschel et al 2012) which is a region with a high diversity of flea beetles (Furth et al 2015).…”

Molecular evidence supports the recognition ofEpitrix papaas a distinct species fromEpitrix similaris

“…In 2004 Epitrix injury was noticed on potato tubers harvested in the north of Portugal. In 2012, the European Union (EU) took emergency measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the EU of E. cucumeris, E. similaris, E. subcrinita and E. tuberis (Eyre & Giltrap, 2013). As a consequence, E. similaris was listed on the EPPO A2 List and E. cucumeris transferred from the EPPO A1 to the EPPO A2 List.…”

“…As a consequence, E. similaris was listed on the EPPO A2 List and E. cucumeris transferred from the EPPO A1 to the EPPO A2 List. In 2012, the European Union (EU) took emergency measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the EU of E. cucumeris, E. similaris, E. subcrinita and E. tuberis (Eyre & Giltrap, 2013).…”

PM 9/22 (1) National regulatory control system for Epitrix species damaging potato tubers

“…The adults feed on the leaves of potato (and many other hosts) causing the characteristic shot‐hole pattern (1–1.5 mm in diameter) common to flea beetles (Eyre & Giltrap, ). The females lay eggs in soil at the base of the stem, and the larvae develop underground and feed on the root system.…”