What does a pest potato beetle look like?

Colorado Potato beetle control comes from mostly pesticides, to determine the pesticide to use when controlling beetles its good to know a bit about them. Mainly when dealing with potato beetles it is of the Colorado variety of potato beetle that will need to be controlled. The leptinotarsa decemlineata (Colorado potato beetle) is about 1/8 inch in length and has alternating black and white stripes. Sometimes the potato beetle will look black and grayish but will have a yellow/orange body. A Colorado Potato beetle may also be referred to as a leaf beetle.

Potato beetle Larvae

The Colorado potato beetle larvae will look fat and reddish orange with two rows of black spots around the sides of the body. If the potato beetle larvae has one row of black spots then it is the false potato beetle also known as the Leptinotarsa juncta. The larvae of the Colorado potato beetle are around ½ inch when mature. The Colorado potato beetle larvae will eventually drop off the plants that they feed on and will bury into the ground to pupate. The pupa will last around seven days when it will eventually come out and resume eating.

Potato Beetle

To begin Colorado potato beetle control it is important to also know what the bugs eggs look like. Fortunately they are easy to pick out and notice because of their bright yellow to orange coloration and their eggs are usually in mass quantity. You will have to look at the underside of potato, tomato and pepper plants leaves to notice the eggs.

The Colorado potato beetle does not burrow into the actually potato or fruit of the plant but instead will feed on the leaves. The destruction of the leaves will then in turn prevent the potatoes from forming.

Potato beetles

Potato beetle control “how to”

To control Colorado potato beetles you need to check for damage or infestation if such damage or infestation is found you should promptly apply a diazinon, methoxychlor, Carbaryl or pyrethrins containing insecticide. Potato Beetle Control will more then likely require repeat applications as per directed on the insecticide. It is also good to note that your other plants such as tomatoes and peppers will need to be checked over for signs of infestation and damage as potato beetles will consume the leaves of these plants as well.

Colorado Potato beetle control in forms of insecticide may be harder to obtain for the home gardener because many of the insecticides are only sold in large quantities making them impractical and impossible to obtain unless you are a certified pesticide applicator. Most insecticides need to be applied during certain stages of Colorado potato beetle development. Some of the insecticides that are available to the home gardener are Colorado Potato Beetle Beater from bonide, Sevin and Pyrethrin spray. Sevin may not be effective for Colorado potato beetle control because of the beetle’s resistance to it. For home gardeners it is best to prevent the potato beetle from laying eggs in the first place, mechanical removal is always an option depending on the size of the home gardener’s crop. However large potato and vegetable farms will require constant potato beetle control.