Colorado potato beetles found in six municipalities in eastern and southeastern Finland

The Colorado potato beetle, a serious pest, has been detected in six municipalities in eastern and southeastern Finland this summer, according to the Finnish Food Authority.

Sightings have been reported in Lahti, Kouvola, Savonlinna, Luumäki, Ruokolahti, and Joensuu. The authority estimates that the beetles have successfully overwintered in two or three locations, including the Lahti region and southeastern Finland.

In other fields, the beetles likely arrived via summer air currents from the Baltic states and Russia. The Food Authority considers it highly probable that more beetles will be found and urges monitoring of potato fields and home gardens until harvest.

All sightings and suspicions must be reported to authorities. Independent control measures should not be taken, as they may hinder eradication efforts.

Adult beetles are about one centimeter long, with a convex, yellow-and-black striped back. The larvae, which cause feeding damage, are orange, plump, about a centimeter long, and have black spots.