The Colorado potato beetle adults are yellow with ten black longitudinal stripes on their wing covers. They are about 3/8 inch long. The hump-backed larva has six legs and is about 1/8 to ½ inch long. It has reddish-tan to brick-red color with two rows of black spots on each side.
The adult beetle over winters in the soil, in fencerows, or under litter in gardens or fields. They become active in the spring as temperatures rise and begin to feed on weeds and early-planted potatoes, even entering the soil to attack emerging foliage. Female beetles lay orange-yellow eggs in batches of about two dozen or so on the underside of the leaves. Each female can lay 500 or more eggs over a four to five week period. Eggs hatch in four to nine days and the larvae begin to feed on potato foliage.
Controls of the Colorado potato beetle include controlled burning to reduce their over wintering habitat. The most effective time for burning is between plant emergence and 8 inches in height. Taller plants are less heat-tolerant and the canopy shields many of the pests. Best control is achieved on warm, sunny days when beetles are actively feeding on top of the plants.
Ben Simpson
Bobby Saylor
Insect Biology & Diversity Fall 2003
