Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)
Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)
The Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) is a major pest of potato crops. The beetle is native to North America, and it is in every state and province with the exception of Alaska, California, Hawaii, and Nevada. It is also widely distributed across Europe and Asia. Physically they are orange-yellow with ten characteristic black stripes on their elytra. The larvae are orange-pink with 9-segmented abdomen and a black head. In reference to their name, the Colorado Potato Beetle feeds primarily on potatoes, and they also attack other plants in the night shade family like eggplants and tomatoes.
The Colorado Potato Beetle has an overall body length between .24”-.47” (6-12 mm), body width of .14”-.28” (3.5-7 mm), and body height of .11”-.21” (2.7-5.3 mm). The typical lifespan of the Colorado Potato Beetle is between 2-12 months.
The Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) is a major pest of potato crops. The beetle is native to North America, and it is in every state and province with the exception of Alaska, California, Hawaii, and Nevada. It is also widely distributed across Europe and Asia. Physically they are orange-yellow with ten characteristic black stripes on their elytra. The larvae are orange-pink with 9-segmented abdomen and a black head. In reference to their name, the Colorado Potato Beetle feeds primarily on potatoes, and they also attack other plants in the night shade family like eggplants and tomatoes.
The Colorado Potato Beetle has an overall body length between .24”-.47” (6-12 mm), body width of .14”-.28” (3.5-7 mm), and body height of .11”-.21” (2.7-5.3 mm). The typical lifespan of the Colorado Potato Beetle is between 2-12 months.