Pests & diseases › Colorado Beetle
Colorado Beetle
NOTIFIABLE pest in the UK. Yellow beetle with black stripes, devastating to potatoes. Report any sighting to APHA.
Symptoms
- Adult: 10mm yellow beetle with five black stripes on each wing case
- Larvae: bright orange-red grubs feeding in groups
- Stripped potato foliage
Lifecycle
Not yet established in UK — occasional imports on produce. Established across continental Europe.
What to do
- DO NOT attempt to treat yourself
- Report immediately to APHA on 0300 100 0313
- Collect a beetle in a sealed container for identification if possible
If it's bad
- Government-led control only
Stop it coming back
- Buy potato seed from UK certified sources only
- Report any suspect insect on potato or aubergine foliage immediately
Crops it goes for
Plan the plot, track every sowing, cook the harvest
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.