What's eating my russian banana fingerling potato?

Russian Banana fingerlings are especially vulnerable because their elongated shape creates more surface area for wireworm tunnelling and slug damage than round types. Colorado potato beetle defoliates haulms above ground just as aggressively. Aphids spread virus. Start with certified seed, use row-end trap crops of early potatoes, and harvest promptly once haulms die back.

Striped adults and orange larvae rapidly strip leaves, stunting tuber development below ground Daily hand-picking; spinosad or Bt tenebrionis sprays targeting larvae; strict annual rotation

Elongated tunnels along the tuber; more visually damaging on fingerlings than round potatoes; promotes storage rot Brassica green-manure incorporation; carrot-bait traps pre-season; beneficial nematodes in autumn

Surface and subsurface cavities in tubers; worst in cool, wet autumns when harvest is delayed Harvest as soon as haulms die; ferric phosphate pellets; improve soil drainage before planting

Virus transmission causing leaf roll and mosaic; deformed growth and small tubers Certified virus-free seed; insecticidal soap; reflective silver mulch deters winged aphids