Colorado potato beetles
6461. These ‘beetles’ are twice the size of a ladybug, but the same shape. I took these photos today (July 12th, 2019) in the yard near the lake. They are/have devoured whatever plant that is that is like a vine, gets purple flowers on it and then they turn into red ‘berries’ that the birds like! Please advise what they are and how can I get rid of them/keep them off my expensive shrubs and plants!!! thanks. Vernon, B.C. Canada.
Number 6461. These are Colorado potato beetles. Leptinotarsa decimlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). They feed only on plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), including potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, etc.
Well…..I finally found the plant, it is ‘Bittersweet Nightshade’ – or ‘Climbing Nightshade’ – or ‘Salanum dulcamara. and it is an invasive vine that chokes out everything it finds to climb, & its berries are toxic! The birds like them tho! Anyway, it should be pulled out at every opportunity, so if you have it in your yard….pull it out ! As long as these bugs confine themselves to this plant & help eradicate it from my yard they can stay……otherwise they have to go too! I’m wondering why/how ‘Colorado Potato Beetles’ have migrated to BC’s Okanagan Valley!!!