False Potato Beetle
Leptinotarsa juncta
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Suborder: Polyphaga
- Superfamily: Chrysomeloidea
- Family: Chrysomelidae
- Subfamily: Chrysomelinae
- Tribe: Chrysomelini
- Subtribe: Doryphorina
- Genus: Leptinotarsa
- Species: juncta
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Leptinotarsa juncta: //ˌlɛptɪnoʊˈtɑːrsə ˈdʒʌŋktə//
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Summary
The false potato beetle (Leptinotarsa juncta) is a beetle species similar to the Colorado potato beetle but is less of a pest and primarily feeds on solanaceous weeds without causing harm to potatoes.
Physical Characteristics
Adults are 9 to 11 mm in length, resembling the Colorado potato beetle, but distinguished by having regular punctures on elytra instead of irregular and a brown stripe at the center of each elytron and on the inner edge. Larvae are hump-backed with one row of black spots down each side.
Identification Tips
Compared to the Colorado potato beetle, L. juncta has one missing white strip on the elytra, which is replaced by a light brown stripe. Eggs are slightly larger and have fewer in a cluster.
Habitat
Primarily found in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States.
Distribution
Found in states including Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, and extending as far north as Maine.
Diet
Feeds primarily on solanaceous weeds such as Solanum carolinense (Carolina horsenettle) and other solanaceous plants including Physalis spp. and Solanum dulcamara. No growth or reproduction occurs when feeding on potato, Solanum tuberosum.
Life Cycle
Adult beetles emerge from the soil in late spring or early summer and may complete one to three generations in a summer.
Economic Impact
Of the Leptinotarsa species, only the Colorado potato beetle is considered a serious pest.
Tags
- Leptinotarsa
- False Potato Beetle
- Coleoptera
- Pest
- Beetle
- Insect