Bean Leaf Beetle
Bean Leaf Beetle - The bean leaf beetle is reddish to yellowish brown and about ¼ inch long. They
may or may not have black spots on their wing cover. The wings are usually
rimmed in black and the distinguishing characteristic is a black triangle just
behind the head. They overwinter as adults in wooded areas, litter, weeds and
pastures. In the spring as the temperature rises these beetles become active and
move into bean fields. The beetles feed on the foliage, chewing small round
holes into the leaves. Adult feeding reduces plant vigor, plant size and yield.
Later in the season, the second generation beetles will feed directly on the
bean pod. Damage to the pods can be severe if European corn borer or corn
earworm programs are stopped earlier than 12 days before harvest during the
second generation emergence.
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