The pupa of the ladybug is what can confuse me.
This is a ladybug pupa; they are stationary.
this is the potato beetle larva; they crawl and CHEW.
Oh wow! Thanks for the pix and extra dimension of info on the hats the good guys and bad guys are wearing.
Since we are not trying for white potatoes (we have a lonely pot of experimental sweet potatoes,) so far I don’t think we’ve seen the potato beetle larvae. But I can see the point of possible confusion. Thank you so much for the alert.
I was just looking at your pictures again, Applegate, of the confusing potato beetle larvae and lady bug pupae, and was wondering if you could recommend your go-to reference for garden good guys and pests. WITH PICTURES!! LOL!