Colorado Potato Beetle

<p><i>Leptinotarsa decemlineata</i>, Chrysomelidae<br />
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
August 30, 2013</p>

Colorado Potato Beetle

Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Chrysomelidae
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
August 30, 2013

<p><i>Leptinotarsa decemlineata</i>, Chrysomelidae<br />
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
August 30, 2013</p>

Colorado Potato Beetle

Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Chrysomelidae
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
August 30, 2013

<p><i>Leptinotarsa decemlineata</i>, Chrysomelidae<br />
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
August 31, 2013</p>

Mating Colorado Potato Beetles

Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Chrysomelidae
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
August 31, 2013

<p><i>Leptinotarsa decemlineata</i>, Chrysomelidae<br />
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
August 31, 2013</p>

Colorado Potato Beetle

Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Chrysomelidae
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
August 31, 2013

<p><i>Leptinotarsa decemlineata</i>, Chrysomelidae<br />
&amp; <i>Solanum tuberosum</i>, Solanaceae<br />
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada<br />
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8<br />
August 31, 2013</p>

Colorado Potato Beetle on a Potato Plant

Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Chrysomelidae
& Solanum tuberosum, Solanaceae
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Nikon D5100, 105 mm f/2.8
August 31, 2013

A couple weeks ago I took some time between bioassays to take some photos of one of my study organisms. The Colorado Potato Beetle is an important pest of potato crops worldwide. Both the adult and larva of the beetle feed on potato leaves. Unlike many agricultural pests the potato beetle is native to North America, although it is invasive in Europe and Asia. The beetle was originally associated with Buffalo-bur but expanded its host range to include potato crops in the 1840s. The leaf feeding habits, the economic importance, and relatively well described vision all make the Colorado Potato Beetle a good candidate for my research with polarized light.

  • Adrian Thysse October 4, 2013, 4:41 pm

    I’m seeing white space for this post…where is the photo?

    Reply
    • ajblake October 4, 2013, 5:42 pm

      Trouble with a plugin, working on a fix. You can see the photos here.

      Reply
    • ajblake October 4, 2013, 6:28 pm

      Pictures should be working now

      Reply

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