Potato Beetles

Leptinotarsa is a genus of leaf beetles. The most well-known species is the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), an economically significant invasive crop pest. The closely related genus Stilodes has often been merged with Leptinotarsa, with some dispute about which name applies, but the type species – L.heydeni and "L." humeralis when both placed in Leptinotarsa – do not seem to be particularly close to each other.

Several species in the genus produce leptinotarsin, a toxin similar to the diamphotoxin produced by species of the African leaf beetle genus Diamphidia. Some Leptinotarsa species are parasitised by ground beetles of genus Lebia.