Potato Leaf Beetle Larva
Scientific Name: Leptinotarsa decemlineata (larva)
Order & Family: Order: Coleoptera, Family: Chrysomelidae
Size: Larvae can grow up to 15 mm (0.6 inches) in length, though the one in the image appears to be a younger instar, likely smaller.
Natural Habitat
Agricultural fields, gardens, and any areas where host plants from the Solanaceae family are grown.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly herbivorous, feeding on foliage of plants in the Solanaceae family, primarily potatoes, but also tomatoes, eggplants, and bell peppers.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae carry their excrement and cast skins in a 'fecal shield' over their bodies, which is believed to deter predators. Both larvae and adults feed on potato leaves. They overwinter as adults in the soil and emerge in spring to lay eggs on host plants. Multiple generations can occur within a year.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risk: Significant pest of potato crops, capable of causing severe defoliation and yield reduction if not controlled. Can also damage other cultivated solanaceous plants. No known direct benefits to humans or significant ecosystem benefits, as it is primarily a pest.
Identified on: 8/29/2025