Eggs                               Immature                               Adult

Colorado Potato beetles are pests in many places. However, these insects are very easy to raise, as long as you have enough potato plants! All it requires is: an aquarium, some sand or dirt, and potato plants.

   The first step it to secure the aquarium, and make sure you have potato plants available and you are allowed to use them to feed your “pets.” Fill the aquarium with dirt.

   When you have done this, you can start to find the insects. Keep in mind while gathering, these insects multiply VERY rapidly, so only gather a few. On the other hand, you can gather as many as you want and kill them when they get to numerous.

   Put the insects in the aquarium, which should be kept outside but sheltered, like in a barn, etc. Feed the insects daily if necessary, removing the spent vegetation and leaving them with fresh plant material.   

Photo Credits:

Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University

www.insectimages.org