Organic Insecticides | Organic Pesticides | EcoSMART Bug Spray

Mexican Beetle Jumping Like a Bean

October 28th, 2009 Posted in Beetles & Ladybugs

Of all of the ladybugs in the world, most of them are friendly and, perhaps more importantly, harmless.

And then there’s the Mexican beetle.

These troublesome beetles are one of the only species of ladybugs that cause damage crops, particularly the Mexican Bean crops.

But what are these little critters, and how can you tell if they’re around:

• Mexican Beetle Life Cycle
• Mexican Beetle Description
• Mexican Beetle’s Damage and Distribution
• Beetle Management

Mexican Beetle Life Cycle

Mexican beetles follow the regular formula for an insect’s life cycle: egg, larvae, pupae, adult.

Eggs are usually laid in groups ranging from 40 to 60 on the underside of leaves and are pale yellow in color.

Larvae are covered with spines arranged down their back and molt several times before pupating.

Pupa usually collect in groups under leaves. The spines remain, and the pupa are usually close to the size of adults.

Mexican Beetle Description

Mexican beetles resemble overgrown lady beetles, growing to approximately 1/4 inch long.

Males are slightly smaller than females.

Each of the beetle’s wings have 8 black dots. Their color ranges from yellow to copper-brown, growing darker as they age.

Mexican Beetle Damage and Distribution

Mexican beetles frequent been plants of all sorts, as well as alfalfa and clover.

These beetles feed on leaves of plants in all stages of life.

Mexican beetles commonly feed off the bottom of leaves. Once the bottom is damaged, the top of the leaves will quickly dry up, creating a lace-like appearance.

The damage can become severe enough to cause buds and blossoms to fall off the plants. Serious damage may kill young plants and reduce crop yields.

Mexican beetles originally were found no further north than Colorado, but now inhabit most of the country.

Beetle Management

Because damage can be very costly, controlling Mexican beetle population is considered a reasonable investment.

Planting seeds of fast-growing crops early in the year will minimize damage, as numbers don’t get high until July and August.

After harvest, plow over remaining stocks to control a late-season increase in population and lower the likelihood of overwintering beetles.

If you’ve got a small garden, though, and a few of these beetles munching on your beans, try EcoSMART’s organic pesticides to keep their numbers down. Our family-safe sprays are a great way to protect you garden from damaging invaders. Oils from peppermint and rosemary plants are used to make our natural garden insecticides.