Fauna
Insect

Colorado Potato Beetle

Leptinotarsa decemlineata

Also known as Colorado Beetle, Ten-striped Spearman, Potato Bug

Colorado potato beetles are notorious agricultural pests renowned for their ability to rapidly develop resistance to chemical insecticides. Adults and reddish larvae feed voraciously on nightshade foliage, particularly potatoes, eggplants, and tomatoes, capable of defoliating entire crops. Females lay clusters of bright yellow orange eggs on the undersides of leaves, starting a cycle of multiple generations in a single warm season.

Crop PestStripedInsect
Colorado Potato Beetle reference1 / 7
(c) Catherine C. Galley, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Catherine C. Galley · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPotato Foliage, Eggplant Foliage, Tomato Foliage
Predators
  • Spined Soldier Bug
  • Ladybug
  • Birds
ThreatsPesticides, biological control agents, and crop rotation
HabitatsAgricultural fields, gardens, and grassy fields
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. OrderColeoptera
  2. FamilyChrysomelidae
  3. GenusLeptinotarsa
  4. SpeciesLeptinotarsa decemlineata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Spotting adults: Search the undersides of potato leaves in late spring for striped adults and orange egg clusters.
  • Garden management: Handpick beetles and larvae into soapy water to manage small garden infestations naturally.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…