Project
Biological control of the Andean weevil Premnotrypes vorax on potato with Bacillus thuringiensis
Details
Project Code:
Not Available
Start Date:
1993
End Date:
1998
CRSP Phase:
Phase 1
Budget:
Not Available
Countries:
Ecuador
Participants
Lead University:
Ohio State University
Other Partners:
DNPV-INIAP, UVTT-Carchi-INIAP (Guatemala)
Principal Investigator(s):
None
Co-Principal Investigator(s):
P. Gallegoa, Sandra Garces (Guatemala); Roger Williams (US)
Overview
The Andean weevil of potato (Premnotrypes vorax) is the most economically important insect pest attacking potatoes in Ecuador. It can affect 100% of the crop. With the need to protect their investment and increase yields, farmers commonly use insecticides that are highly toxic to control this pest. This represents a high risk for the farmers and consumers, as well as the environment. This study was initiated as laboratory experiments to evaluate the efficacy of biorational insecticides for controlling this pest.
Objectives
To evaluate the efficacy of biorational insecticides for controlling this
Outcomes
The Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agropecuarias (INIAP) has devleoped a strategy for integrated control of this pest. As a result, the amount of insecticide used for its control has decreased significatively, and the products that are used are less toxic than those used traditionally by the growers. In order to further reduce insecticide use, we feel it is important to explore the possibility of biological alternatives for controlling this pest.
