Which beetle is a major potato pest and frequently featured in Missouri entomology studies?

• A. European corn borer
• B. Colorado potato beetle
• C. Corn earworm
• D. Soybean aphid

Answer: (B)

The major potato pest that Missouri entomology studies frequently revolves around is the Colorado potato beetle. This beetle is notorious for defoliating potato plants, and heavy feeding can cut photosynthesis and drastically reduce yields. Its biology—overwintering adults in the soil, rapid egg-laying, and quick development from egg to hungry larvae—drives populations that can explode in a season, making it a key focus for monitoring, scouting, and resistance-management research in Missouri.

In contrast, the other options are not potato-focused beetles: European corn borer and corn earworm are moths that attack corn and other crops, while the soybean aphid is an aphid that targets soybeans. So the beetle that best fits the description is the Colorado potato beetle.