Common: Colorado Potato Beetle/Potato Bug

Scientific: Leptinotarsa decemlineata

Crop Hosts: Potato is the primary host. It can survive on many other plants.

Identification and Life Cycle: The insects overwinter as the adults that bury themselves 8 to 10 inches in the soil. In the spring, they emerge to feed on volunteer or early potatoes. These adults are 3/8-inch long with alternate black and yellow stripes in the wing covers. Eggs are deposited on the underside of the leaves. Each female deposits 500 eggs before dying. Small humpbacked, reddish chewing larvae hatch in 4 to 9 days. They grow rapidly and become full grown in 2 or 3 weeks. They then descend into the soil, make a spherical cell and transform into a motionless pupae. Two generations appear to be the rule.

Geographical Distribution: Found throughout most of the United States and Canada.

Damage and Treatment: The insects tend to feed in groups, completely consuming the leaves. Unless controlled they soon devour so much of the vines that the plant dies and tuber yield is greatly reduced.

Treatment should be made when insect populations and/or damage levels reach economic thresholds. Refer to local University Extension Pest Management Guidelines for specific state thresholds.