Signs of Infestation

• Potato bugs' presence on a plant is a, good indicator of a problem. Although a few potato bugs may not do serious damage to a potato plant, but where there are a few of them, there may be many more. Some other signs of potato bug problems include damaged leaves, which may turn brown or yellow, as the pests feed on them. Holes in the leaves can be a sign of larvae.
  
  

Effects

• Potato bugs begin feeding in the early spring. The insects overwinter in the soil, according to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. They start eating potato plants as they form and lay eggs on the leaves. Larvae also feed on the plant once they hatch, damaging and weakening the plant. Leaf damage prevents the plant from photosynthesizing, weakening the plant and stopping growth.
  
  

Potato Plant Care

• Potato plants damaged from potato bugs may not recover. However, keeping growing conditions healthy and caring for the potato plants may restore them to health or ensure some productivity if they have not been killed. Watering the soil regularly and fertilizing the plants helps them take in nutrients and repair their leaves. Remove dead plants to prevent further health problems with fungi.
  
  

Chemical Controls

• There are pesticides that can be used on potato bugs. According to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, rotating different types of chemical groups throughout the garden is more effective at killing off potato bugs, as it prevents them from building up a resistance. Some of the chemicals recommended by the University of Kentucky include organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, spinosad and ambectin, among others. All of these chemicals are found in commercial pesticides.