potato bug
• noun
North American A destructive leaf beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) native to North America, characterized by a bright yellow-orange body with ten bold black stripes along its wing covers, which feeds voraciously on potato foliage.
"The farmer inspected the damaged leaves and discovered an infestation of potato bugs across the entire crop."
American A large, flightless, nocturnal insect of the genus Stenopelmatus native to the western United States and Mexico, having a prominent, rounded, humanoid head and strong fossorial legs for burrowing in soil.
"While digging up the garden bed in California, she unearthed a large, shiny potato bug."
North American A small terrestrial crustacean of the family Armadillidiidae that lives in damp places under stones or bark and rolls into a tight defensive ball when disturbed.
"The children lifted the rotting log in the backyard to look for potato bugs."
Word Nuance & Usage
Depending on regional dialect in North America, 'potato bug' can refer to three entirely unrelated arthropods: the agricultural pest known as the Colorado potato beetle, the large subterranean Jerusalem cricket of the American West, or the common pill bug (woodlouse).
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.