The results of many years of study of phylogeny, morphology, physiology, ecology, ethology and other aspects of the life of the Colorado potato beetle, the main potato pest in the USSR and neighboring European countries, are summarized. An analysis of the biological features of the beetle, which determine the unusually high lability of its phenology and ways and methods of expanding its range, is given. Broad prospects for the use of a biological method in the fight against the Colorado beetle using its natural enemies, entomophages, entomopathogens are shown.