By JOHN O’CONNELL

Capital Press

Researchers announced Tuesday the first evidence of zebra chip arriving in eastern Idaho spud fields.

Potato samples grown in Power County have tested positive for the Liberibacter bacterium that causes zebra chip, according to a posting by the Pacific Northwest and Treasure Valley Pest Alert Network.

Zebra chip first arrived in the Pacific Northwest during the 2011 growing season and is spread by tiny flying insects called potato psyllids. The disease reduces crop yields and creates undesirable bands in potatoes that darken when fried.

The news comes as no surprise to Jeff Miller, who aids in testing samples for zebra chip with Rupert-based Miller Research.

“We know the psyllid is widespread throughout the state,” Miller said. “The surprising thing to me was that we hadn’t seen it in eastern Idaho until just now.”

Miller noted just a trace amount of infection was detected in the Power County field.