COLONIZATION OF POTATO FIELDS IN EASTERN NORTH-CAROLINA BY COLORADO POTATO BEETLE

Rotated and non-rotated commercial potato fields were sampled intensiv ely to follow Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), colonization and subsequent oviposition p atterns in the spring of 1990 and 1991. Maximum densities of colonizin g adults ranged from 0 to 14,891/ha and maximum egg mass densities ran ged from 0 to 48,451/ha. Crop rotation generally resulted in lower pot ato beetle populations. Regardless of crop rotation management practic es, colonization of fields planted in potatoes began at field edges an d progressed inward in all fields for both years. Management of potato beetles is discussed in light of these findings.