Potato, pepper, tomato, eggplant, tobacco etc.
The eggs are elongated and yellow or orange and are laid on end and grouped into rows, usually on the undersides of leaves on the lower portion of the plants. Larva are brick red with black legs and head. There are two rows of black spots on each side. Shape is hump-backed; up to 3/5 inch long. Adults are yellow with black stripes and black spots behind the head. Shape is strongly convex; 3/8 inch long.
Both larvae and adults feed on the on the leaves and terminal growth of their host plants, leaving behind spots of black excrement. Large infestations completely defoliate potato plants.
For control, hand pick adults and the use of Bt is effective on larvae but will not kill adults. In spring, floating row covers or a thick straw mulch can help prevent the adult beetles from reaching the plants and laying eggs.