This distinctive yellow and black striped beetle is a serious pest in the United States and Eastern Canada. The female lays orange-yellow eggs on the underside of leaves. What is this pest?

This distinctive yellow and black striped beetle is a serious pest in the United States and Eastern Canada. The female lays orange-yellow eggs on the underside of leaves. What is this pest?

• A. Colorado potato beetle
• B. click beetle
• C. flea beetle
• D. Mexican bean beetle

Answer: (A)

Pest identification often relies on recognizable cues like color patterns and egg-laying habits. The distinctive yellow and black stripes on the beetle’s elytra are a telltale sign of the Colorado potato beetle, a major pest of potatoes. The female lays orange-yellow eggs in clusters on the underside of potato leaves, which matches the described behavior. This combination—a striped yellow-and-black beetle and orange-yellow eggs laid on the leaf undersides—points to the Colorado potato beetle. Other beetles mentioned have different looks or habits. Flea beetles are small and jumpy with varied colors, not the bold striped pattern described here. Mexican bean beetles are yellow to orange with many black spots, not striped. Click beetles are typically elongated and not a primary potato pest in this context.

Pest identification often relies on recognizable cues like color patterns and egg-laying habits. The distinctive yellow and black stripes on the beetle’s elytra are a telltale sign of the Colorado potato beetle, a major pest of potatoes. The female lays orange-yellow eggs in clusters on the underside of potato leaves, which matches the described behavior. This combination—a striped yellow-and-black beetle and orange-yellow eggs laid on the leaf undersides—points to the Colorado potato beetle.

Other beetles mentioned have different looks or habits. Flea beetles are small and jumpy with varied colors, not the bold striped pattern described here. Mexican bean beetles are yellow to orange with many black spots, not striped. Click beetles are typically elongated and not a primary potato pest in this context.