Colorado Potato Beetle


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.

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