Explanation of Names
Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say 1824)
decemlineata = 'ten-lined' (refers to elytral pattern)
Identification
Ten black stripes and irregular punctures on the pale yellow elytra (regular punctures indicate
L. juncta(2)); larva has two rows of black spots on each side (one row in
L. juncta)
Range
transcontinental (NS-BC to FL-CA)
(3)Food
Potatoes and related plants
(1)
In south parts of US, this insect feeds on
Solanum rostratum and
S. augustifolium.
(4)
In Arizona, it feeds on
Solanum elaeagnifolium but northern populations die when feeding on this.
(4)
In SC, it feeds on
Solanum caroilnense(4)Life Cycle
The larvae don't feed near the place they hatched. They begin searching, guided by vision until they find a potato plant, then they randomly begin biting the leaves. If the plant releases the proper scent, the larvae clip off the hairs on the plant surface and pierces the epidermis. Acceptance or rejection is based on the taste.
(5)
Remarks
Before the introduction of the potato in the US, was confined to Colorado and neighboring states feeding on native Solanum species; now occurs in most potato growing areas both in NA and Europe
Has become a serious pest in Europe
The tarsal setae have receptors for sugar, salts, and alkaloids.
(6)See Also
L. texana vs. L. decemlineata
L. juncta
In the east, L. decemlineata could be confused with L. juncta. In Texas, it could possibly be confused with L. defecta or L. texana, although these species have fewer elytral dark stripes. In Arizona and possibly neighboring areas, it could be easily confused with L. tumamoca. --S.M. Clark, pers.comm. to =v= 25.vii.2014