Colorado potato beetle

noun

: a black-and-yellow striped beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) that feeds on the leaves of the potato

called also potato beetle, potato bug

Illustration of Colorado potato beetle

Illustration of <span class=syl>colorado potato beetle</span>
  • Colorado potato beetle

Examples of Colorado potato beetle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The Colorado potato beetle was a good target because the voracious critters damage not just potato, but also tomato, eggplant, and bell peppers. Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 27 June 2024 Cilantro flowers are very small, perfect for attracting parasitoids and predators that feed on garden pests like Colorado potato beetle and tomato fruitworms. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 June 2024 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. NBC News, 29 Nov. 2021 GreenLight Biosciences has an RNA spray targeting the Colorado potato beetle that’s currently being evaluated by the Environmental Protection Agency. (old) Matt Reynolds, Wired, 8 Nov. 2021 Harvest is effortless with no digging, and this method is suggested as a way to thwart the Colorado potato beetle. Doug Hall, Good Housekeeping, 21 May 2020 The bacterium targets agricultural pests, such as corn rootworm and Colorado potato beetle, but leaves pollinators like bees unharmed. Breanna Draxler, Discover Magazine, 11 Dec. 2013

Word History

Etymology

colorado, state of the U.S.

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Colorado potato beetle was in 1866

Dictionary Entries Near Colorado potato beetle

Cite this Entry

“Colorado potato beetle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Colorado%20potato%20beetle. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

Colorado potato beetle

noun
Col·​o·​ra·​do potato beetle
ˌkäl-ə-ˈrad-ō-,
-ˈräd-
: a black-and-yellow striped beetle that feeds on the leaves of the potato

called also potato beetle, potato bug

More from Merriam-Webster on Colorado potato beetle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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