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New Brunswick

I checked my potatoes and found that some little insect (brown specked) that flies is eating my potatoe plants and much to my disgust...my tiny new potato blossoms are falling off....obviously insect damage. I have dusted with Rotenone, but the rain keeps washing it off...and it rains a lot here. Is my crop doomed? Most all the blossom buds have fallen off.

7/18/2006 11:24:44 AM

no because potatoes are not formed from the flowers.

7/18/2006 11:58:51 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Are they Colorado Potato Beetles. If so you will see the larvae. They are orange and black little disgusting vile creatures.

7/18/2006 12:11:29 PM

Lexington, Ky

Central Kentucky has been hit particularly hard by the Potato Beetle this year.

7/18/2006 12:58:19 PM

New Brunswick

Nope not potato beetles. Interestingly enough, I have had not one of those pests this year. We mulched with hay last year and wonder if it killed them out? I called Veseys seeds and they told me these little insects are something else...dang it...I forget the name of them. It is sure a relief to find out loss of blossoms will not affect my crop. The same insects make my cuke plants look like a load of buckshot has hit 'em. Horrid little speckled buggars!

7/27/2006 12:34:57 PM