Abstract
THE recent occurrence of the Colorado beetle in an allotment in the parish of Chadwell St. Mary, Tilbury, has received considerable publicity through the Press. The pest is well known as being the most serious insect enemy of the potato in North America, where regular spraying of the foliage with arsenical compounds is necessitated in order to preserve the crop. During the War, the insect was accidentally introduced into France at Bordeaux, where it flourished for a while before its presence was detected. Owing to the nature of the country, and the vast numbers of small gardens and cultivated areas in the vicinity of the city, the pest speedily obtained a foothold. It is now gradually extending its range and has been reported from the Cherbourg district. The infestation at Tilbury is apparently a very slight one, since only three examples of the beetle have been discovered. Prompt action has been taken by the director of the Pathological Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, aided by a staff of inspectors, and all areas under potato within a 10-mile radius of Tilbury have been subjected to close examination. Approximately 2,000 acres of the crop are involved, and we learn from the Times that this area is being systematically sprayed with insecticides by Messrs. Solignum, Ltd., who are the contractors for the work. The possible advent of the pest into Britain has been the concern of the Ministry of Agriculture ever since the insect established itself in France. The occurrence of further specimens in the future cannot be ignored and their prompt destruction is a matter of the utmost importance. Anyone, especially potato growers in the vicinity of ports, who finds a striped (not spotted) beetle, or any red or yellowish grub feeding on potato foliage, will render definite service by reporting the same to the Ministry of Agriculture, 10, Whitehall Place, London, S.W.1. The Ministry requests that suspected specimens, securely packed, should be forwarded to the above-mentioned address. If the label bears the instruction “O.H.M.S.” no postage need be paid.
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Colorado Beetle in Great Britain. Nature 132, 343 (1933). https://doi.org/10.1038/132343a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/132343a0