New Colorado potato beetle sightings reported in Lappeenranta, Finland

In Southeast Finland, there have been more sightings of the potato pest known as the Colorado potato beetle. The Finnish Food Authority reports that a new beetle infestation has been found on a potato farm in Lappeenranta. Earlier this summer, Colorado potato beetles were spotted on two farms in Hamina, with one adult beetle confirmed in Kouvola.

Farmers are being urged to remain vigilant. According to the Finnish Food Authority, the Colorado potato beetle is one of the most serious threats to potato crops, as its larvae are highly effective at consuming potato leaves and stems. While the beetles do not establish permanent populations in Finland, they occasionally arrive from the Baltic states or Russia via air currents.

Farmers in Southeast Finland are particularly advised to monitor their potato fields for these pests. Any sightings of the beetles should be reported to the Finnish Food Authority, and infestations must be eradicated in accordance with official guidelines.

Potato plants may harbor both adult Colorado potato beetles and larvae. An adult beetle measures about one centimeter in length and is identifiable by its yellow back featuring ten black longitudinal stripes and an orange front with black spots. The larvae are characterized by a rounded, reddish-orange appearance, with a black head and two rows of black dots along their sides. Fully grown larvae measure just over a centimeter in length, while newly hatched larvae are darker and range from one to two millimeters long.