Leptinotarsa decemlineata, the Colorado potato beetleZACH COHEN
Researchers from 34 institutes and universities reported last week (January 31) in Scientific Reports that they sequenced the potato beetle’s genome (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), shedding light on how the insect moves to new plant hosts and defends itself against toxins. They found that at least 17 percent of the agricultural pest’s genome is composed of transposable elements that can facilitate quick adaptation to new plant hosts. They also found the potato bug has a group of genes involved in insecticide resistance that are similar to those found in other beetles.
