TOP TOMATO PESTS - PART 2 OF 6: Colorado Potato Beetle

Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)

• Identification: Adult Colorado potato beetles are oval in shape and 3/8 inch long. They have a yellow-orange area behind the head and orange-yellow wing covers with black stripes.
• Plan of Attack: 
• Natural enemies are of the Colorado Potato Beetle are the green lacewings, several predatory stink bugs, tachinid fly, and the spined soldier bug.
• Crop rotation prevents overwintering beetles emerging directly in the fields. The further a field is located from the previous year's tomato field, the longer an adult Colorado Potato Beetle will take to infest it.
• Hand-picking and row covers are effective in controlling the infestation.