Show and flea beetle do damage potato insects cost growers four million dollars in past year nr by leslie 13 daniel deputy astle ento C colorado lorade A agricultural gri cultural collese college w V be service arvice colorados p potato crop was damaged damaged to the extent of during 1932 by two destructive insects the potato and the potato flea beetle this estimate of damage Is based 0 on n low prices paid for potatoes produced last year in normal years the loss to producers would have been much heavier the damage totaled serious outbreaks of disease this past season also have occurred in utah wyoming nebraska arizona and new mexico common perennial ground cherries furnish probably the greatest m menace e nace as a host to the these e plants harbor millions of the insects sects from spring till fall farmers of colorado have been gambling gamy gainy bl 1 n g with vi th apsy 1 ll 11 d s f for 0 r t the h e p past as t t thirty h y y years e a r s T alie lie enormous n 0 r m 0 u s n number u m b e 0 of f t these h s e insects present throughout t the he state in 1032 would indicate that we are close to a peak in numbers when such peaks occur there are ordinarily natural urn forces such as parasites that enter to reduce the population for the coming season we know that a specific parasite was doing effective work in destroying last season although it did not become active early enough to effect the course of the disease it Is highly possible that the insects i will be so reduced in numbers by this parasite that they may not do much damage this year although this Is highly possible we cannot predict it with absolute certainty because we till still have much to learn about the As to control of this inse insect t through the use of insecticides there Is very little littie that I 1 can say we did treat fields in morgan county with lime sulphur and oil ell sprays but neither controlled the condition we are expecting to continue rather extensive investigations on control this season providing funds are made mada available |