COMMON NAME
Large leaf-eating lady beetle
Order

Suborder

Family

Genus

Species

Alias
Coleoptera



Coccinellidae

Epilachna

Epilachna guttatopustulata


Description

This multi-coloured (black with orange-red and yellow spots) lady beetle is easily twice the size of most lady beetles. I am not positive on the identification of the eggs, or the newly hatched larvae, as they are similar to 26/28 spot lady beetle. The eggs seem to be more neatly laid and the larvae appear to have black heads, which may distinguish them. We have found both types of lady beetle on the same plant. Either way, both species are undesirable.

Adult size: 10 mm

Out and about

Most numerous in hotter summer months. Found in New South Wales and Queensland, and on some equatorial islands

Reproduction and Life cycle

The female lays a loose cluster, approximately 30-40 pale yellow eggs on the underside of leaves.

To deter

To control

-spray with pyrethrum -spray with neem oil -larvae could be sprayed with Bt.(Bacillus thuringlensis)

Plants to repel

Plants to attract

Predators

Why they are a Pest
These lady beetles eat leaves. They can also transmit diseases from plant to plant. It likes plants in the Solanacae (nightshade) family which includes tomatoes, eggplant and potato. The wild blackberry nightshade is the host plant for this lady beetle.
calendarchevron-upsticky-note-ohand-paper-o