Colorado Potato Beetle

Description

The Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), part of the genus Leptinotarsa or leaf beetles, can be distinguished by their yellow-orange and black striped shell, and spotted head. The name Colorado Potato Beetle, sometimes referred to as the "potato bug", is due to them being severe pests of the potato plant, but can also damage others crops such as tomato, and pepper. Their red bodied larvae, typically with two rows of black spots on their side, also feed on crops in large groups, which can often be more particularly damaging than the adult beetles [1]. Despite the name, they were originally discovered in central Mexico, but soon appeared in most areas of the United States excluding Alaska, California, Hawaii, and Nevada, and also in southern Canada, parts of Asia, and Europe.