Striped Spud Destroyer 7 Little Words (9) - Crossword Clue
Answer: POTATOBUG
Understanding the Striped Spud Destroyer 7 Little Words Clue
The 7 Little Words clue "Striped spud destroyer (9)" has one definitive answer: POTATOBUG. A potato bug, also known as the Colorado potato beetle, is a striped agricultural pest that destroys potato crops by feeding on potato plant foliage and stems.
What is a POTATOBUG?
POTATOBUG refers to the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), a destructive agricultural pest easily identified by its distinctive yellow and black striped pattern. This potato bug has earned its name as a spud destroyer due to its voracious appetite for potato plants and ability to devastate entire potato crops.
Physical Characteristics of the POTATOBUG
Distinctive Striped Appearance: The potato bug displays ten prominent black stripes running lengthwise down its yellow-orange wing covers, making it one of the most recognizable agricultural pests in North America.
Size and Body Structure: Adult potato bugs measure approximately 10-12 millimeters in length, featuring a robust, oval-shaped body perfectly adapted for feeding on potato plant tissues.
Life Cycle Stages
- Egg Stage: Orange-yellow eggs laid in clusters on potato leaf undersides
- Larval Stage: Red-orange grubs with black spots feeding extensively on foliage
- Pupal Stage: Underground development phase lasting 1-2 weeks
- Adult Stage: Fully developed striped beetles continuing crop destruction
Striped Spud Destroyer 7 Little Words (9) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: Are potato bugs the same as Jerusalem crickets?
A: No, Jerusalem crickets are sometimes called "potato bugs" colloquially, but the agricultural pest potato bug refers specifically to the Colorado potato beetle.
Q: Can potato bugs fly?
A: Yes, adult potato bugs are capable of flight and use this ability to disperse to new potato fields and overwintering sites.
Q: Do potato bugs only eat potatoes?
A: While potatoes are their preferred host, potato bugs also feed on other plants in the nightshade family, including tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers.
Q: How many generations of potato bugs occur per year?
A: In most regions, potato bugs complete 1-2 generations annually, depending on climate conditions and growing season length.
