Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), Coleoptera

Colorado potato beetle biology & life cycle

Overwintering adults emerge from the soil in spring and search for host plants. Females lay eggs in groups of 10 or more on the undersides of leaves. Young larvae feed on the undersides of leaves before migrating to the top of the plant where they feed on young, tender leaves. Mature larvae drop off the plant and pupate below the soil surface. Newly emerged adults feed before moving to overwintering areas later in the season. One to three generations per year.

Identifying Colorado potato beetle

Colorado potato beetle: eggs

Colorado potato beetle eggs are yellow to orange oval eggs laid in groups of 10 or more on the undersides of leaves.

Colorado potato beetle: larvae

The larvae are brick red in color with a black head and legs, then become orange and develop two rows of black dots on the sides of their bodies when they are near maturity. When full-grown, the larvae are about 0.5 inch long. Larvae feed on the foliage of host plants. Tuber development can be prevented and yeild reduced by extensive larvae feeding. Plant pathogens causing diseases such as bacterial wilt, spindle tuber and bacterial ring-rot can be transmitted by these beetles.

Colorado potato beetle: Pupae

Orange-red with black spots along sides, soft bodied, hump-backed.

Colorado potato beetle: adult

The adult Colorado potato beetle is yellowish-orange with 10 black stripes along the length of its yellow wing covers (5 black stripes on each wing cover). It has yellow with black markings on its head an thorax. The beetle is about 3/8 inch in length, 1/4 inch wide, and is somewhat rounded in shape.

Colorado potato beetle: management

Look for orange coloured eggs or newly hatched larvae on the undersides of leaves. Older, bright-orange larvae will be more visible near the top of the plant and on upper surface of leaves. Larvae and adults feed on the foliage of host plants. Tuber development can be prevented and yield reduced by extensive larval feeding. Plant pathogens causing diseases such as bacterial wilt, spindle tuber ad bacterial ring-rot can be transmitted by these beetles.

Recommended solution

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Actara^® 240SC insecticide applied on your potato seed pieces or in-furrow at planting is what your crop needs for early residual protection.

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Two systemic active ingredients for extended control of Colorado potato beetle and later emerging pests.

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