Three-lined Potato Beetle

Description:

The Three-lined Potato Beetle on the left is the typical form with yellow elytra. The one on the right is guessed to be a color morph with its red elytra. Three-lined Potato Beetles can be considered pests, as both the larvae and adults feed on the foliage of plants in the Nightshade family, particularly tomatillo. Nightshade plants are toxic and the larvae cover themselves in their own excrement likely as a defense from being eaten.

Habitat:

Host plants: Tomatillo, potato, tomato (Solanaceae). These were observed on Bladder cherry (Physalis alkekengi).