Colorado Potato Beetles
Development of resistance to insecticides continues to rise. At 3/8 inch long, the adults are convex-shaped pests with yellow and black stripes on the wing covers and black spots on the shield behind the head. These distinct characteristics have made the pest easily recognizable.

While larvae do not have their distinct stripes, they are red and hump-backed with black spots on each side. A black head and three pairs of legs accompany the body, which is 1/2 inch long when full grown.

To reduce resistance, insecticides with different modes of action should be rotated with each spray. For first generation control of Colorado potato beetle the first application of SpinTor^® 2SC Naturalyte^® insect control should be applied when the first large larvae are observed which is equivalent to about 40 percent egg hatch. Depending on threshold levels of the Colorado potato beetle population, a second application should be made within seven to 10 days after the first application.

European Corn Borers
Finding small, round holes with wet excrement from the holes in the potato stalks are indicators of European corn borers. Larvae have smooth skin that is free of hairs. They are dirty white in color and usually have a pinkish tinge. The sides and top of the body are scattered with dark spots while the head is dark brown to black. Emergence can often be seen from early May to late August, with the possibility of two generations each year.

Pupae are shaped like a torpedo and range in color from reddish-brown to dark-brown. They reach a length of 1/2 to 3/4 inch long.

Adult moths have a wingspan of about 1 inch, and the females have wings that are yellowing buff to yellowish-brown in color and bear transverse, irregular, olive-green bands. Males are slightly smaller than females which reach about 3/4 inch long. Females have a stout body with the outer third of the forewing being marked by two dark serrated lines running across the wings. Males are more reddish-brown in color with a slender body. The male abdomen often extends beyond the closed wings at rest whereas the female moth's abdomen does not. Also, the male's abdomen is tufted at the tips.

Cabbage Loopers
Cabbage looper larvae are green caterpillars with white stripes running the length of their body. Larvae can grow up to 1 1/4 inches long, and the body tapers toward the head. There are three pair of legs near the head, and three pair of fleshly prolegs near the posterior. The body is humped or "looped" when moving or resting.

After five instars, larvae pupate into a fragile, silken cocoon. Young pupae are a light greenish color that gradually turns dark brown when mature. They grow to 3/4 inch long.

Adult cabbage loopers are mottled, grayish-brown and have a wing span of 1/2 inch, with a small silvery-white figure eight in the middle area of each of the front wings. Forewings have two shades of grey and blackish zig-zag stripes with hind wings being a pale brown in color. Another characteristic is a tuft of hair arising from behind the back of the moth's head.