You are here
Species
Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, 1824
IUCN
NCBI
EOL Text
Vast amounts of information is available for Leptinotarsa decemlineata because of its status as a major pest insect. The information provided here is a general introduction to the biology of Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Further information can be found using the references listed here and the many studies cited within those references.
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
| Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Leptinotarsa_decemlineata/ |
The Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), also known as the Colorado beetle, the ten-striped spearman, the ten-lined potato beetle or the potato bug, is an important pest of potato crops, and native to southwestern North America. Adult beetles are approximately 10 mm long, with a bright yellow/orange body and five bold brown stripes along the length of each of its elytra (wing casing). This species can easily be confused with its close cousin and look-alike, the false potato beetle (Leptinotarsa juncta), which also eats solanaceous plants and can be found on the same host plant, but is not a serious pest. Both the adult and and reddish-brown larva of L. decemlineata feed on leaves and their high rate of feeding causes significant damage to potato, tomato and eggplant foliage, frequently decimating crops. In addition to being very fecund (females lay up to 800 eggs, and they can undergo multiple overlapping generations a year) they have also proved extremely effective in developing resistance to many pesticides. The Colorado potato beetle successfully invaded Europe in 1922 and since has become established Europe and Asia. A pretty beetle, it has been featured on postal stamps of several countries (even where it is not a significant pest): Mozambique, United Arab Emirates, Austria, the Republic of Benin and Tanzania.
(Alyokhin 2008; CABI 2011; Jacques and Fasulo 2009; Wikipedia 2011a; Wikipedia 2011b)
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | Text modified from Wikipedia |
| Source | http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colorado_potato_beetle&oldid=463797125 |
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 14
Specimens with Barcodes: 21
Species With Barcodes: 1
Leptinotarsa decemlineata is not listed as an endangered or threatened species on any local, state, national or international level.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: no special status
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
| Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Leptinotarsa_decemlineata/ |
Currently, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, the Colorado potato beetle, is distributed widely throughout North America east of the Rockies as well as some of Europe and Asia. Its distribution covers about 8 million km² in the Nearctic Region and about 6 million km² in the Palearctic and Oriental regions. Originally, Leptinotarsa decemlineata was found in the southwestern United States into Mexico. As potatoes were extensively planted for agriculture, the species spread into agricultural areas throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. It is predicted that Leptinotarsa decemlineata could occupy other regions including Korea, Japan, parts of Africa, and most of the temperate Southern Hemisphere.
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ); palearctic (Introduced ); oriental (Introduced ); neotropical (Native )
Other Geographic Terms: holarctic
- Alyokhin, A. 2008. "Colorado Potato Beetle Biology and Management" (On-line). PotatoBeetle.org. Accessed July 15, 2012 at http://www.potatobeetle.org/overview.html.
- Alyokhin, A., M. Baker, D. Mota-Sanchez, G. Dively, E. Grafius. 2008. Colorado potato beetle resistance to insecticides. American Journal of Potato Research, 85: 395-413.
- Jolivet, P. 1991. The Colorado beetle menaces Asia (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) (Col. Chrysomelidae). L'Entomologiste, 47: 29-48.
- Vlasova, V. 1978. A prediction of the distribution of Colorado beetle in the Asiatic territory of the USSR. Zaschita Rastenii, 6: 44-45.
- Worner, S. 1988. Ecoclimatic assessment of potential establishment of exotic pests. Journal of Economic Entomology, 81: 973-983.
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
| Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Leptinotarsa_decemlineata/ |
Canada
Origin: Native
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
Type of Residency: Year-round
United States
Origin: Native
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
Type of Residency: Year-round
Rounded Global Status Rank: GNR - Not Yet Ranked
Leptinotarsa decemlineata has the physical features typical of chrysomelid beetles such as 5-5-5 tarsi, an oval shape, and antennae shorter than the body. Adults can reach anywhere from 8 to 10 mm and have five bold, brown stripes along each elytron. The thorax has an intricate pattern of black spots on top of a deep orange complexion. Larvae typically have a row of black spots down the side of the abdomen, which is convex and very stout (large and plump) compared to the rest of the body. Eggs resemble footballs with an orange/yellow color. They are about 1.7 to 1.8 mm long and 0.8 mm wide. The dorsal and ventral surfaces are distinctly non-parallel and deep red in color.
Range length: 8 to 10 mm.
Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
- University of Kentucky, 2010. "Colorado Potato Beetle Management" (On-line). UK Entomology. Accessed July 15, 2012 at http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef312.asp.
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
| Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Leptinotarsa_decemlineata/ |
Leptinotarsa decemlineata is considered one of the most serious pests and agricultural defoliators. The Colorado potato beetle causes significant damage to agricultural plants such as tomatoes, eggplants, and, of course, potatoes. Both larvae and adults feed on the foliage of host plants, skeletonizing the plant, leaving only roots and stems. Because of such devastation, insecticides have been implemented to decrease the destruction that Leptinotarsa decemlineata has on agricultural production, costing farmers millions of dollars each year. This species has been a huge pest problem throughout the country and is a problem annually for farmers. With such heavy insecticide use, populations of this species have developed resistance to nearly all classes of chemicals used as insecticides. It is estimated that this resistance costs growers between $44 and $69 per hectare each year, but no good alternatives are currently available.
Negative Impacts: crop pest
| License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
| Rights holder/Author | ©1995-2013, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors |
| Source | http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Leptinotarsa_decemlineata/ |