

This insect is notorious for development of resistance to insecticides over short periods of time. If foliar sprays are used, an effort should be made to treat after most eggs have hatched but before serious plant damage occurs.


BROWN BEETLE WITH BLACK AND WHITE STRIPES FULL
There are two full and occasionally a partial third generation each year. They feed for a few days, before egg laying begins. This insect can go from egg to adult in as little as 21 days. In five to 10 days the new adult beetles emerge. The larval stage lasts two to three weeks.įull grown larvae move to the ground and change into an inactive or pupal stage. The larvae usually feed in groups and damage can be severe. The larvae are humpbacked with two rows of black spots. The eggs hatch in four to nine days and the larvae begin to feed on potato foliage. Each female can lay 500 or more eggs over a four to five week period. Female beetles lay batches of about two dozen orange-yellow eggs on the underside of the leaves. They will even enter the soil to attack emerging foliage. They become active again in the spring and feed on weeds and volunteer on early-planted potatoes. The Colorado potato beetle is a yellow insect with alternating black and white strips down its back. In addition to potato, Colorado potato beetle can be a serious pest of tomato, eggplant, and pepper. Colorado potato beetle overwinters in the soil as adults. Colorado potato beetle has alternating black and white stripes on its wing covers. Their damage can greatly reduce yield and even kill plants.įigure 3. Both the adult, or beetle, and the black-spotted, red larva feed on potato leaves. The common black and yellow-striped "potato bug", a very familiar insect, is the most serious pest of potatoes. Above-Ground Pests Colorado Potato Beetle A planting-time soil treatment should be sufficient in these cases. Because some wireworms and grubs spend two or more years in the soil a problem may still occur. The threat of damage by soil insects is lessened with time out of sod. White grubs produce large holes in tubers. By this time soil insects should be active and nearer the surface.įigure 2. For best results, treat after soil temperature at the six inch depth has reached 50☏. In these situations, a pre-plant broadcast application of a soil insecticide should be considered. These insects feed on grass roots and should be considered as a serious threat when potatoes are to be grown in ground immediately following sod.įigure 1. Soil insects, primarily wireworms and white grubs, can severely damage seed pieces and tubers. More on specific information on insecticides is available from ID-36, "Commercial Vegetable Crop Recommendations". This publication was prepared to provide information on the biology, identification and control of potato pests. Growing a new crop often means dealing with a different pest complex. The local market for potatoes from Kentucky has resulted in increased interest in the crop by potential growers. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture
BROWN BEETLE WITH BLACK AND WHITE STRIPES PDF
“But your heart does kind of sink when you find evidence of them.ENTFACT-304: Potato Pests | Download PDF by Ric Bessin, Extension Specialist “They are not dangerous to people,” Kirby said. Leave the boric acid dust untouched for two hours after sprinkling it and then vacuum it up. Sprinkling boric acid on carpets, rugs or furniture will also kill remaining beetles. Several online sites devoted to pest removal, including The Bugman, a pest control company in the Pacific Northwest, also suggest washing contaminated fabric or pillows in hot water and detergent and wiping down any surfaces where you suspect carpet beetles to be hanging out with pure vinegar. If you find evidence of carpet beetles in your house, the best way to get rid of them is vacuuming the area where you say them and then steam cleaning the same area. Keep vigilant, Kirby said, and inspect fabrics and even taxidermied animals for holes or fraying that could be caused by the beetles. “The same thing with your seldom worn clothing items that have fur, feathers or are made of wool - keep them in sealed plastic bags or containers.” “Pantry items like flour, Bisquick, pasta, nuts, cereals or dried fruits should be kept in tight sealing containers like glass or rubber,” he said. The key to keeping carpet beetle larvae out of the house, Kirby said, is denying them their favorite food. “But the carpet beetle should really be on the suspect list.” “Everyone blames the clothes moths when they pull something out of the cedar trunk and find holes in it,” Kirby said.
