Came back from a few weeks vacation and found my datura plant leaves all
chewed up. The culprit seems to be a stripped beetle. Does someone know the
name of this pest and what can be done to control it?

Datura is a solanceous plant (in the same family as tomatoes, potatoes, etc.)
and this family is a known host of the Colorado potato beetle (stripped
beetle). This pest is resistant to many chemical controls, but two strains of
Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t. var. san diego and B.t. var. tenebrionis) are
effective in controlling it. B.t. var. san diego is sold under the name M-One
and B.t. var. tenebrionis is marketed as Trident. These products are safe for
mammals, birds, fish, and beneficial insects. If you use these products, be
sure to apply when the larvae are small and to thoroughly cover the plant. This
treatment will have to be repeated weekly until all of the eggs have hatched.
Or... you can just hand pick the beetles and larvae.
sed5555