Insect on potato leaves - Ask Extension
Hello! I have noticed these insects on my potato leaves and am wondering if they are harmful or not to the plant or other surrounding vegetables? I se...
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Insect on potato leaves #332460
Asked June 14, 2016, 7:22 PM EDT
Hello! I have noticed these insects on my potato leaves and am wondering if they are harmful or not to the plant or other surrounding vegetables? I see them in singles or twos, such as in the picture I will attach. The can jump or fly to other potato plants but are usually just sitting in the lead and easily removed. My plants have some small holes in various leaves but all seem to be doing ok right now. I wasn't able to see this bug on any of the resources on the extension web site so I thought I would give this a try. =) Thank you so much!
Crow Wing County Minnesota
Expert Response
This is a Tortoise Beetle:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/tortoise-beetles-in-gardens/
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/tortoise-beetles-in-gardens/