Control measures

There is no specifically authorised chemical product for the control of these insects. When they are present in potato crops, the majority of the broad-spectrum soil insecticides (e.g. organophosphates and synthetic pyrethrinoids) are effective against many of these insects.

Chemical control, initially targeting the Colorado potato beetle for example, will indirectly reduce the populations of these insects. Cultural practices such as soil cultivation also reduce the populations of most of the soil-borne insects, especially in favourable situations, such as grass lands and fallow.

Most of these insects have natural enemies, although the latter are usually not sufficiently effective to prevent the appearance of symptoms when they occur in large numbers on potato crops.