The feared Colorado potato beetle could spend this winter inside potato fields, warns the Finnish Food Safety Authority (EVIRA). This would be unusual. EVIRA official Raija Valtonen says that the risk is higher than before. A record number of the beetles were detected in potato fields this summer;the long and warm summer favoured the insects.
Some of the beetles were found on actual potato farms, but most were found in small plots intended for consumption by members of the household. The most recent sightings were in September while potatoes were being harvested. As there were beetles of different ages, EVIRA suspects that some of them may have crawled deep into the soil and might survive the winter.
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The Colorado beetles crawl out of the soil in the spring, but only when the seed potatoes are in the ground and start producing stems and leaves. The beetles eat the leaves, and stay in the area as long as there is food, and then they lay their eggs. When they run out of food, the beetles go away to seek more elsewhere.
Colorado Potato Beetle
Last year just one sighting of Colorado potato beetles was reported in Finland
