Bean IPM

Legume ipmPIPE Diagnostic Series

Mexican Bean Beetle

Epilachna varivestis (Mulsant, 1850)

Adult Mexican bean beetles are bronze with 16 black spots on their wing covers, and are ΒΌ inch (6mm) or slightly larger.  They lay bright yellow eggs in masses of 40-60 eggs, which hatch to produce fuzzy, bright yellow larvae that feed on the underside of leaves.

Factors favoring

Plant near locations heavily infested in previous year

Beetle on leaf
Mexican bean beetle
Authors

H.F. Swartz and F.B. Peairs, Colorado State University

Photo credits

F.B. Peairs, Colorado State University