Colorado Potato Beetles

Identification

Adult Colorado potato beetles are 1/3″ long, rounded, with black and tan striped wing covers. The larvae are 1/2″ chubby, reddish-purple with rows of black dots on the side.

Damage

Both adult and larvae Colorado potato beetles skeletonize foliage all the way down to the leaf veins. They’re often found toward the top of the plant.

Prevention

Adult beetles overwinter in garden debris, so clean up the garden and rotate crops every year.

Physical control

Cover plants with floating row cover and leave in place until harvest. You can also hand-pick both the adults and the larvae.

Chemical control

It is highly recommended to try physical prevention/control methods before resorting to chemical control. Neem or spinosad-based products may help to manage Colorado potato beetles. Check local regulations (or your local Extension Office where applicable) to identify which products can be used in home gardens in your area. Follow label instructions carefully for safe and effective insecticide application and to ensure that edible crops are safe to harvest. Test insecticide on a few plants before widespread application. Look for the most selective insecticide to minimize harm to beneficial insects- even some “selective” and "natural" insecticides can still negatively impact beneficial insects. Where possible, apply contact-based insecticides in the late evening and try to avoid spraying during blooming to minimize negative impacts on pollinators- in some cases the insecticide may need to be hosed off in the morning to avoid contact with pollinators. Do not spray spinosad on flowering plants.