Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What insect is this? > Garden Pests > Beetles, bugs, ants, and other insects without obvious wings - 1/4 inch - 1/2 inch long > Colorado potato beetle

Colorado potato beetle

Leptinotarsa decemlineata

Jeff Hahn, University of Minnesota Extension

Description: 3/8 inch long.
Oval shaped body. Yellow-orange prothorax (area behind the head); wing covers are yellowish with ten black stripes.

Where/When: Feeds on potato as well as eggplant, tomato, pepper, and related plants. Adults are active from June through September.

Significance: Chews leaves; potatoes can tolerate up to 30% defoliation when they are in a vegetative stage but can only tolerate 10% defoliation when tuber are bulking up. Severe defoliation can reduce plant vigor, size, and yield.

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