Diet

• Adults: Primarily feed on the leaves of plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), including wild Solanum and Physalis species. They may occasionally feed on cultivated potato.

• Larvae: Feed on the foliage of Solanaceae, consuming the leaves as they develop.

• A documented food plant is Datura, on which adults can cause conspicuous leaf damage.

Range

• Leptinotarsa haldemani occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico

• Around Zihuatanejo, it is best considered occasional to fairly common where suitable Solanaceae are present, particularly in disturbed vegetation, dry forest margins and areas supporting wild nightshades.

Habitat

• Found in tropical dry forest, tropical deciduous forest, woodland edges, scrub, agricultural areas, gardens and disturbed vegetation.

• Look for adults on wild nightshades, Physalis, Datura and related plants, particularly where plants have fresh foliage.

• The beetles may be conspicuous when feeding in groups, leaving irregular holes and areas of skeletonized foliage.

Size

• Adult length: approximately 8–11 mm (0.31–0.43 in). A photographed individual has been measured at about 8 mm, while another specimen measured 11 mm.

• Body broadly oval and strongly convex.

• Usually glossy metallic green, although blue or violet individuals can occur.

• Head, pronotum and legs are predominantly black, creating a strong contrast with the metallic elytra.