Adult Colorado potato beetles have bright yellow wings with black stripes. Behind the head is a black vest with orange spots. - USDA APHIS archives, www.insectimages.org

The red humpback larvae have 2 rows of black dots down each side and eat many times their weight in leaves. - USDA APHIS archives, www.insectimages.org

Often present in hordes, Colorado potato beetles ravage potato plants by eating the foliage. When potatoes are not available, they may feed on eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers.

In spring, adults emerge from wintering in the ground or in garden refuse to lay eggs on the foliage. These quickly hatch into red larvae that eat more and more as they grow. The larvae then fall to the ground to pupate and emerge as striped adult beetles that will fly to other plants. You must control them quickly, or the beetles severely weaken the plants and reduce the harvest by stripping the plant of its energy-making foliage.

To control, handpick a small infestation, or spray a large number with insecticidal soap or Neem oil. Be sure to coat the beetles with the spray.

To help prevent infestations, clean up the garden at the end of the season.