Mexican Bean Beetle – Epilachhna varivestis

Mexican bean beetle – Epilachhna varivestis Common Name: Mexican bean beetle Latin Name: Epilachna varivestis Appearance: The Mexican bean beetle is a small, oval-shaped beetle approximately 5-6 mm long. It has a yellowish-orange body with black spots on its wing covers. The beetle has a round head and prominent antennae.

• Egg:The Mexican bean beetle lays clusters of bright yellow eggs on the underside of bean leaves. The eggs are oval-shaped and about 1 mm in size.
• Pupae:The pupae of the Mexican bean Beetle are yellowish-orange in color and are found on the underside of leaves.
• Larva:The larvae of the Mexican bean beetle are soft, plump, and light yellow with black spines on their bodies.
• Adults:The Mexican bean beetle’s adults are oval-shaped and about 6-7 mm in length. They have a yellowish-orange body with black spots on their wing covers.

Host plants: The Mexican bean beetle feeds on various plants, including beans, cowpeas, and soybeans. Territory: The Mexican bean beetle is found throughout North America, from Canada to Mexico. Damages caused by Mexican bean beetle: The Mexican bean beetle can cause significant damage to bean plants by feeding on the leaves, pods, and stems. This can result in reduced yields, stunted growth, and even death of the plants. Life history and Habits: The Mexican bean beetle has one generation per year, with adults emerging in the spring and laying eggs on the underside of bean leaves. The eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on the leaves of the plants for about 3-4 weeks before pupating. The adults emerge from the pupae and continue to feed on the bean plants, laying more eggs for the next generation. Control measures for the Mexican Bean Beetle include using insecticides, handpicking, and crop rotation.