Adult Colorado Potato Beetles are yellow convex beetles, about 1/3 inch long. They are marked with black stripes and an orange head covering. The eggs are bright yellow and are laid on the undersides of leaves. Groups of a dozen or more orange, barrel-shaped eggs are often visible on the undersides of leaves. Each female lays approximately 500 eggs. Grubs are plump, and have red with black spots and a black head. Both adults and larvae chew foliage. One or two generations occur every year. The beetles over-winter in the adult stage. Colorado potato beetles are found in most parts of the United States and Canada, but especially in the eastern areas.
VULNERABLE PLANTS - Eggplants, potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes.
EMERGENCE TIMES - Adults emerge from soil in late April to early May.
SYMPTOMS - Defoliated plants with skeletonized leaves are signs of the Colorado potato beetle.