Colorado Potato Beetle - Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)

Dr. Phillip Roberts, Extension Entomologist, The University of Georgia, Department of Entomology, Tifton, GA 31793
Dr. Paul Guillebeau, Extension Entomologist, The University of Georgia, Department of Entomology, Athens, GA 30602

Order Coleoptera: Family Chrysomelidae

Description: Adults are yellowish brown with five, black, longitudinal stripes on each wing cover. Several black spots are also present on the pronotum (area just behind the head). These oval, convex shaped beetles vary in size from 9 to 14 mm in length. Larvae are soft and grub-like with black legs and heads. As larvae mature, they turn a yellowish-red or orange and develop two rows of black spots along each side of the body. When larvae are fullgrown they reach a length of about 10 mm. Hosts: Potato, tomato, eggplant, pepper, tobacco, ground cherry, nightshade, and other solanaceous plants. Damage: Both larvae and adults feed on foliage and terminal growth of host plants. High populations can defoliate and kill plants. Damage often occurs in isolated spots throughout a field.

Colorado Potato Beetle Photo by: David Adams, UGA

Colorado Potato Beetle larva Photo by: Clemson University/USDA slide set

Life Cycle: Overwintered adults emerge from the soil in the spring. Females lay 300 to 500 yellow or orange, elongated eggs in clusters of 20 or more on the undersides of leaves. Eggs hatch in about a week, and larvae feed for three weeks. Once mature, larvae drop to the ground and pupate in the soil. Multiple generations occur each year in Georgia.

Control: On commercial potatoes beetles should be controlled prior to egg laying.

In: Roberts, P. M. and G. K. Douce, Coordinators. 1999. Foliage Feeding Insects. A County Agent's Guide to Insects Important to Agriculture in Georgia. Univ. of GA, Col. Ag. Env. Sci., Coop. Ext. Serv., Tifton, GA USA. Winter School Top Fifty Agricultural Insect Pests and Their Damage Sessions, Rock Eagle 4-H Ctr., Jan. 20, 1999.

Selected References and Suggested Readings