Potato Bugs: What Are They, Really?

Like multiple common insects, the potato bug is known by many names. It is commonly referred to as the Jerusalem cricket, skunk bug, Colorado beetle, and pill bug, among many other strange names. And while there are some similarities between the potato bug and some of these other insects, there are also some notable differences. Let’s take a look at the life of the potato bug and how it differs from the other similar insects. 

What are Potato Bugs?

Potato bugs have a name reminiscent of a cartoon bug that humorously loves potatoes, but it is actually not the most accurate name. They are also mistakenly called Jerusalem crickets, pill bugs, and skunk bugs. Potato bugs don’t have a particular fondness for potatoes, so perhaps their name comes from their round, brownish bodies. Potato bugs are about two inches long as fully-grown adults. They have black and orange stripes and a large head with small eyes. Their main method for attracting mates is hissing and drumming on their abdomen. Potato bugs also have translucent legs in direct light, which is a disturbing feature. Even though they have wings, they can also hop away from predators. These nocturnal insects are related to grasshoppers and do not provide any threat to the home, similar to grasshoppers. And with their diets and habits in mind, potato bugs may even be considered beneficial insects. 

Diet

Since potato bugs don’t eat potatoes, what do they eat? The answer is: a lot! Their main meal of choice is a plant, and specifically, the plant’s juices. The potato bug sucks the juices from underneath the leaves and stems, which is how they are able to go unnoticed in a garden for quite some time. Their main diet consists of the plants of potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, tobacco, and peppers. Unfortunately, potato bugs release a toxin while they are feeding on the plants. This stunts the plant growth and will eventually lead to the death of the plant. Because of this, it is important to pick any potato bugs off of plants if you find them.

Organic material in general is the potato bug’s food of choice. This includes crops, plant roots, underground organic matter, and living or dead plants. They will eat other insects, including other potato bugs, if they are desperate enough. They can become beneficial insects when they eat other pests, but it is worth wondering if the damage they cause to plants in the meantime is worth keeping them around. They can quickly become pests by destroying the leaves of these plants and leaving them full of holes with no chance of reviving. They are also resistant to common pesticides, which is not a fact you want to hear about plant-eating beetles. But since they are mainly common in agricultural fields, potato bugs are typically only a problem for farmers.

Habitat & Behavior

Since potato bugs love organic material, it makes sense that this is where they are usually found. They also love moisture, so their common habitat is burrowed into the soil where they can hide from predators and have easy access to plants and moisture. Since they are nocturnal, they can hide in the soil during the day and come out at night to feed. They are easily found when the soil is moved around, as it stirs them up. This would be an ideal time to squish any of them before they get to the plants.

These insects are harmless, as stated before, and they don’t like to get near humans. This is another perk of staying buried in the soil. The soil also creates opportunities for the potato bugs to become beneficial insects. When they eat dead plant roots, move the soil around, and make it porous, it stimulates the plants and allows them to thrive. But the circle of life gives justice to the plants, as the potato bug has some common natural predators. Ladybugs, stinkbugs, and soldier bugs all love potato bugs, which helps keep the population under control. Since they lack the wings needed to fly, potato bugs need to have a few different methods for defending themselves against predators.  

Playing Defense

All creatures big and small have methods of self-defense, and the potato bug is no exception. It can hop away from its enemies, but it does have a few defense mechanisms in place for when a predator is too quick. They hiss when they’re scared, which will startle a predator. They will also roll onto their back and kick their legs up in to block the enemy. Their final, and most effective, method is biting. They only like to use this method when they are absolutely threatened and have no other choice. They will also bite humans if they are provoked enough. They don’t seek out humans to bite, but they will bite if we get too close for their liking. Thankfully, this bite isn’t lethal or dangerous at all, since potato bugs don’t have venom. It will definitely hurt, but it won’t have any long-lasting effects. 

With all of the facts about potato bugs considered, it is worth wondering: is it really that similar to the other insects that it is often confused with? Let’s take a look at three insects that are often confused with the potato bug. 

What is a Jerusalem Cricket?

This nightmarish insect also has a misleading name. It is not from Jerusalem, nor is it an actual cricket. It has stripes like the potato bug, but the Jerusalem cricket is brown with black stripes. It uses its thick legs for burrowing, also similar to the potato bug. But this insect is much larger than the potato bug, and has a distinct shape with its large head and huge legs. Its life cycle is typical of an insect this size, as the order goes egg to nymph to adult. They only live for two to six months, so they do not stick around for long. The nocturnal Jerusalem cricket feeds on dead organic matter and other insects, which is also similar to a potato bug. They also have long mandibles that allow them to chew through plants and insects alike. But based on looks alone, the potato bug seems much less intimidating than the cricket. 

What is a Pill Bug?

This insect looks much different than a potato bug, but they behave somewhat similarly. Pill bugs, commonly referred to as roly-polys, are a gray-brown color. Their fun nickname comes from their famous defense mechanism: rolling into a tightly-protected ball when they are disturbed. If you have ever held a pill bug, you have likely experienced them rolling up as soon as you made contact with them. They will not come out of this shape until they are certain that the danger has passed. The life stages of a pill bug are egg, juvenile, and adult, and they live to about two years. They do shed their shell at various points, and they always make sure to go into hiding when doing so. Their main diet consists of fruits, vegetables, weeds, potatoes, plants, and carrots, among many other crops. Pill bugs can be differentiated by the other types of bugs because of their coloring and rolling nature. 

Signs of an Infestation

Just like any other common pest, potato bugs leave certain signs that tell us there is an infestation happening. These are all related to plants, since that is where they spend the most time. Here are some common signs of a potato bug infestation to look out for:

• Damage to the garden and plants
• Holes in the leaves
• Infested plants
• Hissing sounds coming from the plants
• Stunted plant growth
• Unexplained death of the plants
• Curling leaves
• Yellowing leaves
• Wilting leaves

While potato bugs are not the most common pests and can be beneficial, there is still a need for pest control when insects are taking control of your yard. Contact us to learn more about how we can keep your yard – and life – free of pests! 

Citations

Potato bug facts that’ll change your perception about them. (n.d.). Gardenerdy. Retrieved on March 21, 2022, from https://gardenerdy.com/potato-bug-facts/ 

Potter, M. (2019, March 1). The frightening but helpful potato bug. Garden & Greenhouse. Available at https://www.gardenandgreenhouse.net/articles/june-2019/the-frightening-but-helpful-potato-bug/ (Accessed on March 21, 2022).