Content
The Colorado potato beetle causes damage to potato plantings, and can spread to other crops. The most effective are chemicals aimed at killing insects. One of these remedies is Killer for the Colorado potato beetle. The active components of the drug have a paralyzing effect on pests.
If you follow safety measures, you can get rid of Colorado potato beetles for a long period of time. Chemicals must not come into contact with food or liquids.
Description of the Colorado potato beetle
The Colorado potato beetle is one of the most dangerous pests in the garden. This is a member of the leaf beetle family, brought from Colorado and spread throughout Eurasia. The Colorado potato beetle appeared in Russia in the forties of the twentieth century.
The pest is easily recognized by its characteristic black and yellow color. The size of the beetle is no more than 12 mm. The body of the insect is oval, with stripes on the back and black spots on the head. The beetle larvae are gray or black and yellow in color.
The Colorado potato beetle spends the winter at a depth of up to 0.3 m.If the soil is sandy, then the pest penetrates to a depth of 0.5 m. Then its population does not die during frosts. Depending on the ambient temperature and precipitation, the Colorado potato beetle comes to the surface in May or a few weeks earlier.
Due to its developed wings, the Colorado potato beetle can make long flights. Usually the pest appears from neighboring areas or as a result of mass migration.
Harm from the Colorado potato beetle
From the beginning of spring until the onset of autumn, the female Colorado potato beetle lays eggs on the lower part of plant leaves. In one summer, 2-3 generations of beetles may appear.
The larvae begin to hatch within 5 to 14 days, which largely depends on the temperature. The larvae go through several stages of development. During this period, they require intensive nutrition, so they intensively eat the upper parts of the shoots.
Then the larvae go into the ground, where pupation occurs and the formation of an adult individual occurs. The Colorado potato beetle feeds on plants for a period of up to 20 days. In hot weather, insects fly in search of a food source. As a result, the area of their settlement is several tens of kilometers.
The pest can be found on eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes. The insect is active from April until the end of the summer season. If the potato leaves are not sufficiently formed, the beetle moves to other crops.
In the spring, the Colorado potato beetle eats young shoots and in mid-summer moves on to inflorescences.At the final stage of the season, the lower parts of the potatoes suffer.
Features of the drug
Killer is a complex action drug that can cope with various pests. The product is suitable for treating plantings against Colorado potato beetles, whiteflies, mites and aphids.
The product is intended for processing potatoes, vegetables and fruit and berry crops. It can be used in open ground, as well as in greenhouses and other closed structures.
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Compared to other remedies for the Colorado potato beetle, Killer has the following advantages:
- destroys insects in a short time;
- has no phytotoxic effect;
- retains properties when exposed to rain;
- does not cause addiction to insects;
- can be used in hot weather;
- Effectively acts at all stages of development of the Colorado potato beetle (eggs, larvae and adults).
Active ingredients
The composition of the drug Killer includes the following substances:
- cypermethrin in the amount of 50 g per liter;
- chlorpyrifos at a dosage of 500 g per liter.
Cypermethrin is a chemical substance consisting of 8 isomers. Each of them has a specific effect on insects. The combination of these components has a detrimental effect on the Colorado potato beetle.
The substance affects the nervous system of pests due to contact-intestinal effects. As a result, the life activity of the Colorado potato beetle stops and the insect dies.
Its effectiveness remains high for another month. The substance retains its properties under the influence of the sun and high temperatures.
Chlorpyrifos is harmful to Colorado potato beetle larvae. When the substance enters the body of an insect, it paralyzes it and causes death. Chlorpyrifos affects the Colorado potato beetle through the respiratory system.
Chlorpyrifos is resistant to environmental factors. The activity of this component can last for 70 days. The substance persists in soil for up to 4 months.
Due to the complex effect of active substances, the effect is on both larvae and full-fledged individuals. Therefore, the drug has a rapid action and retains its properties for a long time under the influence of external factors.
The killer destroys the Colorado potato beetle within 2 days. The protective effect lasts for three weeks.
Time of processing
The killer is used in two ways:
- potato tubers are processed before planting;
- Bushes are sprayed during the growing season.
Potato tubers are processed before planting begins. To do this, they are sprayed with a solution based on the drug. Then the tubers are mixed.
During the growing season, a single treatment is allowed. At the same time, they focus on the timing of harvest. It is not allowed to carry out work 45 days or less before harvesting potatoes.
For spraying, choose the morning or evening time, when there is no direct exposure to the sun. Treatment is not carried out in strong winds and precipitation.
Consumption rates
When using Killer, the proportions of the substance are strictly observed. The drug is not used in its pure form; a solution is prepared on its basis.
The consumption of the substance depends on the processing method. If you need to pickle planting material, then 10 ml of the drug is needed for 0.5 liters of water. The specified amount is sufficient to process 25 kg of tubers.
Precautionary measures
When carrying out work, the prescribed precautions must be observed:
- Carry out all actions according to the instructions. The mandatory supplement to the drug indicates its dosage, side effects, storage rules, and combination with other drugs.
- Observe the established proportions. If the dosage of the drug is less, then the remedy for the Colorado potato beetle will not have the necessary effect. Exceeding the norm of the substance can cause damage to humans, animals and the plantings themselves.
- Do not use drugs that were stored in violation of the rules. You should also avoid using products that have already expired.
- Killer must be diluted before using it. Storing the drug is hazardous to the environment. If you leave the solution, its effectiveness will decrease significantly over time.
- Use of protective equipment for the respiratory system, vision, and skin. For this purpose, masks, gloves, and protective suits are used.
- If the substance gets on the skin, the contact area is washed with water. If your eyes or digestive system are damaged, you should immediately consult a doctor.
- Smoking, eating and drinking liquids is prohibited during work.
- Children and animals should not be present during processing.
- After completion of the work, the suit and other protective equipment are processed to eliminate any remaining drug.
- If the solution is not completely used, it is prohibited to pour it down the drain or leave it on the site. It is better to bury the remaining funds in a vacant lot.
Main analogues
- Destroy. An effective remedy for the Colorado potato beetle, which is available in the form of a suspension. The active components are aimed at neutralizing the activity of the nervous system. The drug begins to act within 24 hours and remains active for another 20 days. Destroy is not destroyed at high or low temperatures.
- Prestige. A product for treating potato tubers before planting. After 50 days, its active ingredients disintegrate into non-toxic components. To eliminate the Colorado potato beetle, a working solution is prepared.
- Aktara. A drug that has an intestinal contact effect. Its components penetrate the body of the Colorado potato beetle and begin to act within a few hours. Aktara retains its properties at any temperature, has economical consumption and a long-lasting effect.
- Commander. A low-toxic insecticide that allows you to get rid of pests during their mass spread. The drug tolerates cold weather well and is not washed off by rain. To achieve the desired result, one treatment per season is sufficient.
- Spark. The drug is available in tablets, which are diluted with water to obtain a solution. The product penetrates insects by contact or intestinal route. The effect of the drug lasts for 2 weeks. Treatment is carried out by spraying potato plantings. The spark has average toxicity.
- Intavir. A drug in tablet form that is effective against Colorado potato beetles. The effect of the product begins within the first day and lasts 2 weeks. Treatment is carried out by spraying. It is allowed to carry out the procedure twice per season.
Conclusion
The drug Killer is an insecticide that can cope with various garden pests. The product is used to combat the Colorado potato beetle. This pest begins to be active in early spring and eats potato tops and other plants throughout the summer. If timely measures are not taken, potato yields will decrease.
Killer must be used in strict accordance with the instructions. When working with the solution, protective equipment is used. The prescribed dosages must be observed. Potato processing takes place in two stages. Before planting, the tubers are disinfected with the drug. During the potato growing season, a single spraying is sufficient. The impact is carried out at any stage of insect development.
