Nowadays, almost no gardener can imagine the summer season without fighting Colorado potato beetles. These insects invade areas of land that they can devastate in a matter of days. But this was not always the case - just 100 years ago, Russia had heard almost nothing about these pests. How did it happen that they so quickly became practically the main enemy for most summer residents and where did they come from to our region? Let's try to analyze these issues in more detail.
A little history
From time immemorial, the Colorado potato beetle lived in its historical homeland - in South America, and to be more precise, in Mexico. This type of insect became especially widespread in the northeastern regions of Mexico, since it was here that the conditions for its residence were most favorable. A large amount of diverse vegetation, summer virtually all year round, an abundance of everything necessary for a carefree life - all this helped the beetles to exist in excellent conditions and not even strive to migrate to other places.
The food of the Colorado potato beetle in Mexico was quite varied and did not differ much from other insects of this kind. They ate peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, a variety of vegetables, tobacco and petunia leaves, and much more. But with the arrival of colonialists from Europe to America, the situation began to change significantly.
As soon as the homeland of the Colorado potato beetle accepted Europeans into its embrace, they immediately began to actively plant potato fields for their needs. The insects very quickly became imbued with the tastes of the colonizers and after a short time made potatoes their favorite delicacy. One of the travelers and entomologists, Thomas Seay, described the Colorado potato beetle in his works in 1824. The first major problem with these pests occurred in Nebraska in 1855, when the beetles ate almost all of the potato fields in that region.
After this sad incident, no more than 20 years passed and the Colorado potato beetle took over all of North America. Already in 1870, the problem of pest control was very acute for the inhabitants of this country. Around the same time, constant communication between America and Europe was established, and regular transatlantic flights began to exist. At the same time, the first Colorado potato beetles appeared in Europe. One of the first places where they were spotted was the city of Leipzig.
Pest danger to potatoes
Hatching from eggs, the larvae can completely destroy the entire crop. They are most dangerous during the period of flowering and ripening of potato tubers.
Parasites destroy the upper part of the tops, which is why the plant stops developing. Potato tubers are practically not formed. If there are too many insects on the plant, the ovary will not occur during flowering. And as a result, there will be no harvest.
Just 15 larvae on one plant can destroy half of all potatoes. If there are a lot of them, you can completely lose the harvest. Forty larvae or more destroy all potato tops.
USSR and Colorado potato beetles
As for our country, as already mentioned, Russia, like the whole of Europe, initially did not have problems with the Colorados. But along with the penetration of insects into Western countries, they quickly began to penetrate Russian soil. The first serious problems with beetles began around the 1940s. Before this, either their number was insignificant, or the powerful poisons used for processing left insects no chance. Why did they appear in Russia in the 40s of the 20th century? Most likely, the restoration of trade and economic ties with some Western countries after the war played a role.
First, the largest number of pests in question was recorded on the territory of Ukraine in the Lviv region. This happened in 1949. Also, a large number of dangerous insects were noticed in the Grodno, Volyn, Brest and Kaliningrad regions, in the Krasnoyarsk Territory.
Sometimes you can hear versions that the Colorado potato beetle was brought to the USSR by enemies of the people in order to cause additional harm to a country already struggling with many problems. It is difficult to talk about this seriously now, because it is known that many countries are from the Western camp, and to be more precise, almost all countries are also susceptible to this problem and fight Colorado potato beetles every season. Only one Western country does not have them - Great Britain. Why is that? - most likely this is due to the peculiarities of the climate, which is simply not suitable for insects that love warmth and an abundance of green food.
It is believed that the first massive colonies of beetles made their way to the territory of western Ukraine by air, and only then the pest appeared in Russia. In 1958, in May there were quite strong winds, which contributed to the entry of a large number of pests into the country. From here, insects began to actively spread throughout the rest of the Soviet Union. A large colony of the Colorado potato beetle entered Lithuania and the Kaliningrad region by sea. Their spread was also facilitated by the fact that straw and other materials were massively transported from Ukraine to some Russian regions, in particular, the Southern Urals. Many researchers believe that it was thanks to this that the Colorados got here. In general, the question of where the Colorado potato beetle came from in Russia cannot have a definite answer, because there are simply a lot of options. It’s most likely not worth thinking that someone brought it on purpose, since there were already many channels of possible distribution.
Pest migration
It is unlikely that this pest will ever be completely eradicated. However, it is quite possible to protect your own potato plant from it. To destroy this pest, use:
- pesticides;
- biological agents.
In nature, this leaf-cutter beetle has practically no enemies. The only birds that eat it are pheasants, turkeys and guinea fowl. If there are such birds on the farm, they must be released into the potato field, that is, where the Colorado potato beetle lives. Among insects, its natural enemy is ladybugs, which, although they do not eat adult beetles, will not shy away from the opportunity to eat a couple of larvae. However, not all farms have pheasants, and not every garden can release them. Therefore, other methods have to be used.
The use of chemicals is limited by weather and timing. Nevertheless, there are products such as “Masterpiece” or “Prestige” that can be used for spraying plantings. The beetle does not get used to them. The toxic substances contained in them can accumulate in potato tubers.
The most effective method is spraying with a mustard-vinegar mixture. To do this you need to take the following ingredients:
- dry mustard - 1 kg;
- table vinegar 9% – 100 ml.
All this is thoroughly mixed with 10 liters of water. The resulting mixture is sprayed onto potato tops. This must be done in dry weather, making sure that the solution gets to where the Colorado potato beetle lives, i.e. under the leaves. It is also worth noting that it lives not only on potatoes, but also on other representatives of the nightshade family: tobacco, physalis, petunia.
At the moment, the pest is considered one of the most common parasites in the Russian Federation. But it was not always so.
Everything about the Colorado potato beetle became known to mankind in 1824. It was discovered by biologist Thomas Sayem. Squads of insects destroyed vegetable gardens in northeastern Mexico until they were introduced to North America. It was there that the pest got its name, consonant with one of the states of the country. It spread across huge potato fields in Colorado and virtually destroyed the crop.
The parasite was brought to Europe on cargo ships while transporting vegetables. After that, he lives in many countries, including Russia.
Parasites destroy the upper part of the tops, which is why the plant stops developing. Potato tubers are practically not formed. If there are too many insects on the plant, the ovary will not occur during flowering. And as a result, there will be no harvest.
Just 15 larvae on one plant can destroy half of all potatoes. If there are a lot of them, you can completely lose the harvest. Forty larvae or more destroy all potato tops.
Sometimes small insects appear on a summer cottage. According to the descriptions, the beetles are similar to Colorado beetles, but there are several differences. The insect reaches no more than 8 mm in length. There are not only black stripes on the wings, but also white and yellow ones. The legs of the insect are black. The abdomen is brown in color.
The homeland of the Colorado potato beetle is warm, sunny Mexico. For the first time, rural residents discovered a striped creature with a huge appetite in 1824. Initially, the insect ate tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, petunia leaves, and tobacco. With the active appearance of potatoes in the fields, Colorado moved to this crop. However, the story of the Colorado potato beetle does not end there, but is just beginning.
In 1959, the parasite caused enormous damage to potatoes in several states of Colorado in America. This is where the name came from. With the spread of shipping and active trade in potatoes, the insect began to colonize other continents. During the First World War, a massive appearance was discovered in France. American military bases were located in this country, where food and food supplies from the United States were transported to soldiers. Migration across Europe began from the French town of Bordeaux.
Colorado beetle
In what year the Colorado potato beetle was brought to Russia, there is no exact information. Presumably they began to import during the Second World War - 1943-1949. Some experts call the moment of settlement the beginning of hostilities, others - the end.
In 1949, a striped insect was discovered on the territory of Ukraine. The dry, hot summer of 1953 contributed to the resettlement throughout Ukraine, the Baltic states, and Belarus. Who brought the Colorado potato beetle to Russia is a question that interests many, since the insect’s large-scale sabotage resembles sabotage.
Fighting bugs
From the moment the Colorado potato beetle appeared in our country, it has shown amazing resistance to all possible poisons, tolerates temperature changes well, and is not afraid of serious weather disasters. The fight against them in Russia and in the world never stops, but it can never be completely completed. Since the late 50s, attempts have been made in the USSR to destroy the pest. Various quarantine measures and potato processing were carried out. But in most cases, the result is only seasonal, and even then with varying success.
With the development of science, the fight against beetles has reached a new level. Now there are even genetically modified varieties of potatoes, which with their composition can kill beetles that have tasted their favorite product. But, as it turned out, even this serious step did not bring the desired result - the insect quickly adapts to all poisons and substances dangerous to it and they no longer pose a danger to it.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that the Colorado potato beetle appeared in Russia, as well as in Europe, relatively recently, but it settled thoroughly and, apparently, for a long time.
Official version
Colorado beetles
The appearance of the striped insect in the Russian space is associated with the development of economic relations between the countries of Europe and the USSR. This period dates back to 1940. Colorado larvae were imported with potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, and tobacco.
Initially, no one paid much attention to the strange creature on the root crops. Military actions contributed to the spread. At that time in Russia, few people paid attention to the agricultural pest, and the Colorado potato finally adapted to the harsh climate. At the end of the Second World War, a real natural disaster began in the potato fields.
The fight against the Colorado parasite is actively being waged in modern Russia. They destroy them physically, chemically, biologically. Breeders are developing varieties that are resistant to these pests. An effective remedy that will erase the Colorado potato beetle from the face of the earth has not yet been invented. Regardless of origin, appearance, the fight should be waged by any means, by any means. Otherwise, the harvest will suffer significantly.
