Identification
Similar to Colorado Potato Beetle
(1), but elytral punctures are regular instead of irregular. Also, a brown stripe at the center of each elytron (wing cover) and on the inner edge of each elytron (where they meet down the middle) distinguish this species.
Larvae are hump-backed and have one row of black spots down each side.
Food
According to the University of Florida, the False Potato Beetle "is found primarily on the common noxious weed, horse-nettle, Solanum carolinense. It also feeds on other solanaceous plants, such as species of ground cherry or husk tomato, Physalis spp., and common nightshade, Solanum dulcamara."
See Also
Colorado Potato Beetle,
Leptinotarsa decemlineata (1) has ten black stripes on a pale yellow background and no brown stripes. Larvae of Colorado Potato Beetle have two rows of black spots on each side.
Internet References
University of Kentucky has remarks on distinguishing this from Colorado Potato Beetle.
