Colorado potato beetles found on nine Finnish potato farms

Colorado potato beetles have been found on nine potato farms in Finland this summer, Yle reports. The latest outbreak was identified in Rautjärvi, according to the Finnish Food Authority.

The pests have also been found in Lahti, Kouvola, Savonlinna, Lappeenranta, Luumäki, Ruokolahti and Joensuu.

Colorado potato beetles usually reach Finland on air currents from Russia and the Baltic countries. The species does not have a permanent presence in Finland.

The Finnish Food Authority urges people to monitor for the beetles in home gardens until the potato harvest, particularly in the risk area of southeastern Finland.

Finding outbreaks is important to prevent the beetle from becoming permanently established in Finland. The Colorado potato beetle is a quarantine pest, so the Finnish Food Authority or a regional vitality centre orders measures to eradicate it.

An adult Colorado potato beetle is about one centimetre long and has yellow and black stripes. Its orange head is covered in spots.