Species Insects & ArthropodsColorado Potato Beetle

Colorado Potato Beetle

Leptinotarsa decemlineata

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)

The Colorado Potato Beetle is notorious for its destructive feeding habits on potato crops, rendering it a major agricultural pest throughout its range.

Habitat
Primarily associated with potato fields and other solanaceous crops.
Diet
Feeds on the leaves of potato plants and other related species.
How common
Common

Best time to see a Colorado Potato Beetle

The best time to see a Colorado Potato Beetle is May–July, when about 76% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 4,797 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Colorado Potato Beetle? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Colorado Potato Beetle sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Colorado Potato Beetle? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Colorado Potato Beetle is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love insects & arthropods? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More insects & arthropods

Common Backswimmer
Common Backswimmer
Notonecta undulata
Common Baskettail
Common Baskettail
Epitheca cynosura
Common Branded Skipper
Common Branded Skipper
Hesperia comma
Common Buckeye
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
Common Checkered Skipper
Common Checkered Skipper
Pyrgus communis
Common Click Beetle
Common Click Beetle
Melanotus communis
Common Crayfish
Common Crayfish
Cambarus bartonii
Common Darter
Common Darter
Sympetrum striolatum