The potato beetle, also named Colorado potato beetle, was first recognized as a potato pest in 1859 in Colorado when it switched from its normal host, buffalo bur, a relative of potato, to cultivated potatoes brought into the region by early settlers. Once beetles began feeding and reproducing on cultivated potatoes, they were able to migrate eastward, reaching the East Coast by 1874. At about that time the potato beetle was imported to Europe, where it soon became a devastating pest as well.
Potato beetles cause significant damage to potatoes, but also to tomatoes and eggplants. Both adults and larvae feed on foliage and may skeletonize the crop. Insecticides are still the main method of beetle control on commercial farms. However, the potato beetle has developed resistance to all major insecticide classes
Handpicking the beetles in small gardens can be an effective way of containment. Don’t forget to remove or crush the yellowish orange eggs on the underside of leaves.