The Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, is the most destructive pest of potatoes, eggplant, and tomatoes in the Mid-Atlantic region. This species has developed resistance to every known class of insecticides. A three-year study in fresh market tomatoes found that mass releases of Podisus maculiventris, a native predacious sting bug, and Edovum puttleri, an exotic egg parasite, reduced numbers of this invading pest. The stink bug was more effective and new studies will evaluate mass releases of this species combined with potato trap crops in order to protect the tomato crop.

Edovum puttleri emerging from Colorado potato beetle eggs

Podisus maculiventris feeding on Colorado potato beetle egg