Image: Colorado Potato Beetle on Leaf

Available versions of this image

• Regular size (1,536 x 1,024): JPEG - WebP
• Large size (3,072 x 2,048): JPEG - WebP

Image description

This high-resolution landscape photograph captures a vivid close-up of a Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) resting on the surface of a lush green potato plant leaf. The beetle is prominently centered in the frame, its body sharply in focus against a softly blurred background of overlapping potato foliage.

The beetle’s body is oval and convex, measuring approximately 10 mm in length. Its elytra (hardened forewings) display the species’ iconic pattern: ten bold, black longitudinal stripes alternating with yellow-orange bands. These stripes run parallel from the base to the tip of the elytra, creating a striking contrast that makes the beetle instantly recognizable.

The pronotum, located between the head and elytra, is orange with irregular black spots, adding to the beetle’s distinctive appearance. Its head is reddish-orange and features two large, black compound eyes positioned laterally. Extending forward from the head are two segmented antennae, slightly curved and tapering toward the tips, colored dark brown to black. These antennae are used for sensing the environment and locating host plants.

The beetle’s legs are reddish-brown with darker tarsi and are covered in fine setae (hairs). The front right leg is slightly raised, suggesting motion or exploration, while the remaining legs grip the leaf’s surface.

The potato leaf beneath the beetle is richly textured, with a deep green hue and a prominent network of veins. The surface is slightly wrinkled and covered in a fine layer of trichomes (tiny white hairs), which add a soft, velvety appearance. The leaf’s edges are gently serrated, and its central vein runs vertically, branching into a quilted pattern that enhances the image’s botanical realism.

In the background, additional potato leaves form a natural frame around the beetle. These leaves are slightly out of focus due to the shallow depth of field, which draws attention to the beetle and its immediate perch. The lighting is natural and diffused, likely from an overcast sky or shaded garden setting, which eliminates harsh shadows and highlights the beetle’s colors and the leaf’s textures.

The composition emphasizes the beetle’s ecological role and visual distinctiveness, making it ideal for educational, agricultural, or entomological use. The image conveys both the beauty and the pest status of the Colorado potato beetle, a notorious defoliator of solanaceous crops.

The image is related to: A Complete Guide to Growing Potatoes in Your Own Garden