Mexican Bean Beetle

The adult beetles are similar in size and shape to the beneficial lady beetle, but Mexican bean beetles are more oval, lemon- to copper-colored, and have 16 black spots on their back (wings). Larvae are orange to yellow with fuzz or spines. Adults usually overwinter in plant debris and first appear on bean plants during April and May. The yellowish eggs are laid in large clusters on the leaves. The eggs hatch in about seven days. Adults and larvae feed on bush, pole, and lima beans by skeletonizing the leaves from below. Expect four generations per year.

Control: Handpick and destroy beetles and larvae on the leaves or deposit them in a jar of soapy water. Discard or plow under the infested crop. Parasitic wasps help control the beetles. Insecticides are available.