All kinds of garden and field beans as well as soybeans and cowpeas are attacked by the Mexican bean beetle, the most serious pest of beans. If overwintering beetle populations are high, seedling damage may occur, though economic damage usually does not occur before August.

Both the adult and larva feed on the under surface of the leaves leaving the upper surface intact. Damaged plants have a characteristic lace-like (skeletonized) appearance which is not easily confused with other insect injury. The remaining tissues die in about 2 days and turn brown, often giving the entire field a "burnt" cast, and yields are reduced from damaged plants. Shredded plants may die before any crop is matured, and pods and stems are often attacked, also.

Index of Crops

Select this link to browse the damage to each crop by its pests.

Index of Insect Pests

Select this link to browse the insect pests arranged alphabetically with links to their descriptions and life cycle information and the crops they affect.