Physical Control of Colorado Potato Beetle: A Review

In intensive agriculture in several countries around the world, the main insect pest of potato crops is the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). Applications of chemical insecticides constitute one of the most effective means of controlling this insect pest. However, the over use of chemical insecticides can lead to serious health and environment problems. Moreover, most of the registered chemicals are presently not efficient to manage this important potato pest on a long-term basis because of the capabilities of the Colorado potato beetle to develop resistance towards most chemical insecticides. Alternative methods to chemical means have been successfully used to control the Colorado potato beetle, namely the physical methods. In this context, several research studies have been conducted to develop or to improve physical methods to control Colorado potato beetle. Hence, this review mainly focuses on potential physical Colorado potato beetle control methods as an alternative to chemical insecticides.