Potatoes and their wild relatives are attacked by two members of the genus Leptinotarsa found in West Virginia, Leptinotarsa decemlineata and Leptinotarsa juncta.The two species look similar, both as adults and as larvae.
The larva of Leptinotarsa juncta is shown at left. It boasts a single row of black spots along the side, while Leptinotarsa decimlineata (shown in the photo below) has two rows.
Leptinotarsa decimlineata is known as the Colorado Potato Beetle, but it has a much wider range than this name might suggest.
