[7] The orange-pink larvae have a large, 9-segmented abdomen, black head, and prominent spiracles, and may measure up to 15 mm (0.59 in) in length in their final instar stage.

[4][8] This tribe is characterised within the subfamily by round to oval-shaped convex bodies, which are usually brightly coloured, simple claws which separate at the base, open cavities behind the procoxae, and a variable apical segment of the maxillary palp.

[12] The beetle has the potential to spread to temperate areas of East Asia, India, South America, Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.

[4] From 1871, American entomologist Charles Valentine Riley warned Europeans about the potential for an accidental infestation caused by the transportation of the beetle from America.

[12] From 1875, several Western European countries, including Germany, Belgium, France, and Switzerland, banned imports of American potatoes to avoid infestation by L.

Farmers and growers, gardeners and members of the public are being encouraged to remain vigilant for signs of the pest and to report potential sightings to APHA.

The population increased dramatically during and immediately following World War II and spread eastward, and the beetle is now found over much of the continent.

After World War II, in the Soviet occupation zone of Germany, almost half of all potato fields were infested by the beetle by 1950.

In the European Union, it remains a regulated (quarantine) pest for the Republic of Ireland, Balearic Islands, Cyprus, Malta, and southern parts of Sweden and Finland.

Upon reaching full size, each fourth instar spends several days as a nonfeeding prepupa, which can be recognized by its inactivity and lighter coloration.

[20] Depending on temperature, light conditions, and host quality, the adults may enter diapause and delay emergence until spring.

In a study done by Szentsi, Weber, and Jermy in the paper Role of visual stimuli in host and mate location of the Colorado potato beetle, the beetles' attraction to boards with different spectral bands, reaction to beetle-sized stationary objects, responses to such objects on boards, and attraction to prior female substances were investigated.

[24] At least 13 insect genera, three spider families, one phalangid (Opiliones), and one mite have been recorded as either generalist or specialized predators of the varying stages of L. decemlineata.

[26] In a laboratory experiment, Podisus maculiventris was used as a predatory threat to female L. decemlineata specimens, resulting in the production of unviable trophic eggs alongside viable ones; this response to a predator ensured that additional food was available for newly hatched offspring to increase their survival rate.

Reasoning behind the genetic diversity is the landscapes of the regions: shrub-land and grains in the Columbia Basin versus the forest, corn, and beans in the Central Sands.

Potatoes' relative effect sizes of land cover variables on genetic differentiation was the highest in the Columbia Basin.

The same study mentioned earlier examines crop rotation's effects on genetic differentiation in Colorado potato beetles that were not found in the Central Sands.

In a beetle population that had returned from diapause and been exposed to poor food conditions, mean flight frequency was decreased.

Larvae may defoliate potato plants resulting in yield losses up to 100% if the damage occurs prior to tuber formation.

[50] Plants contain some resistance and toxicity to the Colorado potato beetles, but consistent protection requires higher levels of expression of the cryIIIA gene.

[54] The mechanisms used include improved metabolism of the chemicals, reduced sensitivity of target sites, less penetration and greater excretion of the pesticides, and some changes in the behavior of the beetles.

Feeding can be inhibited by applying antifeedants, such as fungicides or products derived from Neem (Azadirachta indica), but these may have negative effects on the plants, as well.

[46] The steam distillate of fresh leaves and flowers of tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) contains high levels of camphor and umbellulone, and these chemicals are strongly repellent to L.

[56] Beauveria bassiana (Hyphomycetes) is a pathogenic fungus that infects a wide range of insect species, including the Colorado potato beetle.

[13] Rotation may delay the infestation of potatoes and can reduce the build-up of early-season beetle populations because the adults emerging from diapause can only disperse to new food sources by walking.

In one study, populations of immigrating Colorado Potato beetles were systematically targeted and their established perimeter was measured over a large field.

Results imply that perimeter tactics employed by Colorado Potato beetles can give valuable insight into site-specific resistance management programs to optimize insecticide usage.

During the Cold War, some countries in the Warsaw Pact claimed that the beetles had been introduced by the CIA in an attempt to reduce food security by destroying the agriculture of the Soviet Union.

[63] A widespread campaign was launched against the beetles; posters were put up and school children were mobilized to gather the pests and kill them in benzene or spirit.

[70] The fans of Alemannia Aachen carry the nickname "Kartoffelkäfer", from the German name for the Colorado beetle, because of striped yellow-black jerseys of the team.