Colorado Potato Beetle

Friday, March 21 2003 @ 05:20 AM

Contributed by: Admin

Colorado Potato Beetle
Leptinotarsa decemlineata
Stout, oval; 10 yellow and 10 black stripes down back, which is very convex.

DESCRIPTION and LIFE HISTORY *Adult (1 cm):
Stout, oval; 10 yellow and 10 black stripes down back, which is very convex.

Egg: Yellow; laid on end in clusters (12 or more) on underside of leaves, over 4-5 week period; hatch in 4-9 days

*Larva (1.3 cm): Hump-backed, red grub with 2 rows of black spots per side black head; matures in 2-3 weeks

Pupa: Yellowish, in soil; adult emerges in 5-10 days.

Generations/Year: 1-4; one in eastern Canada; overwinters as adult 20-25 cm underground.

DAMAGE Attacks POTATO, TOMATO, EGGPLANT, PEPPER and various WEEDS.
Rapidly defoliates plant spreads diseases (e.g., spindle tuber, bacterial wilt~ ring rot.)
Leaves messy black deposit on leaves as it feeds.

CONTROL: Handpick.
Plant resistant varieties (e.g., Katahdin, Sequoia potato).
Interplant with garlic, marigolds, dead nettle and beans.
Plant horseradish (in containers to prevent spreading) at ends of rows.
Mulch with 1 ft. layer of clean hay or straw.
Spray with rotenone as last resort.
Dust with diatomaceous earth formulations.
Spray with "bug juice" (blend larvae and beetles; mix with water and soap and spray).
Spray with Bacillus thuringiensis(var. san diego)

http://www.mygardenpatch.com/20030321052042805.htm

DESCRIPTION and LIFE HISTORY	*Adult (1 cm): Stout, oval; 10 yellow and 10 black stripes down back, which is very convex.
Egg:	Yellow; laid on end in clusters (12 or more) on underside of leaves, over 4-5 week period; hatch in 4-9 days
*Larva (1.3 cm):	Hump-backed, red grub with 2 rows of black spots per side black head; matures in 2-3 weeks
Pupa:	Yellowish, in soil; adult emerges in 5-10 days.
Generations/Year:	1-4; one in eastern Canada; overwinters as adult 20-25 cm underground.
DAMAGE	Attacks POTATO, TOMATO, EGGPLANT, PEPPER and various WEEDS. Rapidly defoliates plant spreads diseases (e.g., spindle tuber, bacterial wilt~ ring rot.) Leaves messy black deposit on leaves as it feeds.
CONTROL:	Handpick. Plant resistant varieties (e.g., Katahdin, Sequoia potato). Interplant with garlic, marigolds, dead nettle and beans. Plant horseradish (in containers to prevent spreading) at ends of rows. Mulch with 1 ft. layer of clean hay or straw. Spray with rotenone as last resort. Dust with diatomaceous earth formulations. Spray with "bug juice" (blend larvae and beetles; mix with water and soap and spray). Spray with Bacillus thuringiensis(var. san diego)