COMMON NAME

Twenty six- and twenty eight-spotted lady beetles

Order

Suborder

Family

Genus

Species

Alias

Coleoptera

Coccinellidae

Epilachna vigintioctopunctata

Mexican bean beetle, Potato lady beetle

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Description

The twenty six-spot (Epilachna vigintisexpunctata) and twenty eight-spot (Epilachna vigintioctopunctata) lady beetle are two separate species, but are essentially the same in appearance and damage they do to crops. They are a brownish-orange colour with black dots, which you have to count if you want to distinguish them although the 26 spot has a slightly shiny bronze appearance. . The larvae are yellow with spine-like filaments radiating out from their bodies. The yellow eggs could be confused with the beneficial lady beetle, but the larvae are distinctly different.

Adult size: 7-8mm

Out and about

They are more likely to be around in the warmer weather. The adults will shelter over winter. Originally from Russia and now found in Asia, Australia and more recently in New Zealand

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

Plants to repel

Plants to attract

Predators

Chalcid wasp parasitises the pupae

Why they are a Pest

These are a chewing beetle. Both the adult and larvae feed on plants and fruits, though the larvae do the most damage. They particularly like plants of the Cucurbit family (squash, cucumber, zucchini and melons) and Solanacae (nightshade) family (potato, eggplant and tomato). Their host plant is the wild, blackberry nightshade.

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GALLERY

Insect images

Other images of adult insect

No ACF gallery field data found

Eggs

No ACF gallery field data found

Larvae

Nymphs

No ACF gallery field data found

Pupae

Plant Damage