Colorado potato beetle

noun

1. a black and yellow leaf beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, originally of Colorado and neighboring states but now a common pest in all potato-growing regions of the U.S.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Colorado potato beetle¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Example Sentences

In turn, the bean plants protect potato buds from the Colorado potato beetle.

From Salon

One day you might find yourself screaming obscenities and flapping your arms in the air like a deranged chicken in response to a Colorado potato beetle outbreak.

From Seattle Times

The Colorado potato beetle and disease-spreading aphids have flourished with the changing climate, said Jim Dill, pest management specialist at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

From Seattle Times

Garden pests are often highly specialized and named after their favorite food: cabbageworm, corn earworm, tomato hornworm, Colorado potato beetle, cucumber beetle, pea weevil, pepper maggot, Mexican bean beetle, and so on.

From Salon

Note when pests and diseases pop up, such as the Colorado potato beetle.

From Salon