July 26, 2025

False Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa juncta), found in the Mid-Atlantic and southeastern areas of the United States, extending to New Jersey and Ohio. Not to be confused with a closely related insect, the Colorado Potato Beetle (Lepitinotarsa decemlineata) which is a serious pest. Notice in my image that the elytra, or wing covers, are black and white striped with a orange/brown band going down the middle between the black stripes. Both beetles are similar in color but the Colorado Potato Beetle does not have this centered orange/brown stripe.

The False Potato Beetle isn’t thought to be a particular pest. It uses the Carolina Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) most often as its host plant, and occasionally Ground Cherry (Physalis).

This beetle is 0.3 to 0.4 inches in length and .12 inches wide.

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