Organic and Biological Control of Colorado Potato Beetle

Project Overview

FNE22-023
Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 2022: $18,228.00
Projected End Date: 08/31/2023
Grant Recipient: Plowshare Farms
Region: Northeast
State: Pennsylvania
Project Leader:
Robert Moynihan
Email
Plowshare Farms

Information Products

Controlling Colorado Potato Beetle with Guinea Fowl (Conference/Presentation Material)

Commodities

  • Agronomic: potatoes

Practices

  • Pest Management: biological control

    Proposal summary:

    Plowshare Farms in collaboration with Dr. Sarah Dohle will conduct a 1-year on-farm research trial evaluating the agronomic and economic efficacy of integrating guineafowl into potato fields to control Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB) compared against a control of handpicking.  Researchers will measure CPB adult and larval population as well as potato yield to determine the impact of using guineafowl versus handpicking of pests.  

    Project objectives from proposal:

    This project seeks to  (1) evaluate the effectiveness of innovative organic pest control methods  (2) determine the economic viability of treatments, and (3) clearly communicate results to farmers.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.