Leptinotarsa decimlineata
Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae
Identification
• The adult Colorado potato beetle is 1/2" long, and yellow with brown
stripes. (a)
• Larvae are up to 1/2" long, and are orange to red with black spots.
(b)
Damage
• Both adult and larval stages eat leaf margins and entire leaves of
potato, peppers, tomato, and eggplant.
Management
• Hand-pick adults and larvae.
• Apply bacterial or other insecticide.
Other Information
• Colorado potato beetles are native feeders on sand
bur-weed, buffalo bur, jimson weed, and other plants, but only grow
to 1/4" long when eating these plants.