Close-up of the damaged leaves of a potato plant with Colorado potato beetle larvae on them.

Insecticides losing ground against potato pests

Resistance to insecticides is complicating pest control, prompting experts to advocate for farmers in North America to use more integrated pest management strategies in their potato fields

Resistance to insecticides is complicating pest control in potatoes, prompting experts to urge farmers in North America to use more integrated pest management strategies in their potato fields.

A Colorado potato beetle sits on the leaf of a potato plant.

Trials approved for biopesticide targeting potato beetles

Renaissance BioScience’s chief strategy officer, John Husnik, said the basis of the biopesticide is to target the potato beetle by creating an RNA-based, baker’s-yeast-hosted delivery system, which will affect insects on a cellular level and ultimately kill them.