Kentucky IPM Pest Information Pages
Bean Leaf Beetle
DescriptionAdult bean leaf beetles are small, approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. Their bodies are somewhat convex and the beetle is longer than it is wide. Color can vary greatly, ranging from light brown to dark red; spots and/or stripes may be present or absent. A key factor you can use in identification of the adult bean leaf beetle is that all bean leaf beetles have a backwards pointing black triangle on the wing covers behind the head. |  |
The larva is almost identical to that of the corn
rootworm. Bean leaf beetle larvae are white and segmented, with a brown head and a brown
hardened area at the posterior end of the body. Larvae may be found feeding on soybean roots and
nodules.
Damage to soybeans is usually caused by the adult bean leaf beetle. Adults feed on cotyledons
and leaves, making distinct round holes. They sometimes feed on pod surfaces but seldom eat
through to the seeds. Damage to roots and nodules by larvae has not been shown to significantly
reduce yields.
Scout seedlings (cotyledon stage) by looking for stand reduction and heavy leaf feeding as you
walk the field. If damage is found, try to establish that bean leaf beetles are present. If soybeans are in the seedling stage, a
control should be considered if 30% stand loss due to cotyledon feeding or 30% defoliation has
occurred.
Mid-season plants may be scouted using the shake cloth procedure or
the sweep net procedure.
Using a fifteen inch sweep net, twenty sweep samples should be taken at each location. For the
ground cloth procedure, place a two foot wide strip of cloth on the ground between rows and
bend the plants over the cloth and shake them vigorously. This provides a four foot sample.
Sampling for pod damage is done by checking five plants at each sample site for damaged pods. The number of sites you need to examine in a field is based on the size of the field.
Damage
IPM Techniques and Scouting
Economic Thresholds for Bean Leaf Beetles in Soybeans
| Bean Leaf Beetle Economic Thresholds for Soybeans Based On Number of Pods Injured by Bean Leaf Beetles per 5-Plant Samplea,b | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management Costs per Acre: | $ 7.00 | $ 8.00 | $ 9.00 | $10.00 |
| Market Value per Bushel | ||||
| $5.00 | 30.8-36.7 | 35.2-42.0 | 39.5-47.1 | 43.9-52.4 |
| $6.00 | 25.4-30.3 | 29.1-34.7 | 32.6-38.9 | 36.2-43.3 |
| $7.00 | 21.6-25.8 | 24.8-29.6 | 27.7-33.1 | 30.9-36.9 |
| $8.00 | 19.5-23.3 | 22.3-26.6 | 25.0-29.8 | 27.8-33.2 |
| $9.00 | 17.2-20.5 | 19.7-23.5 | 22.0-26.3 | 24.5-29.3 |
| $10.00 | 15.0-17.9 | 17.6-21.0 | 19.7-23.5 | 22.0-26.2 |
| aET range is set at 67 and 80 percent of the economic-injury level. bBased on a row spacing of 30 inches and approximately 8 plants per foot of row. | ||||
| Bean Leaf Beetle Economic Thresholds for Soybeans Based On Number of Bean Leaf Beetles per Sweepa | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management Costs per Acre: | $ 7.00 | $ 8.00 | $ 9.00 | $10.00 |
| Market Value per Bushel | ||||
| $5.00 | 2.9-3.5 | 3-4.0 | 3.7-4.5 | 4.2-5.0 |
| $6.00 | 2.4-2.9 | 2.7-3.3 | 3.1-3.7 | 3.4-4.1 |
| $7.00 | 2.0-2.4 | 2.4-2.8 | 2.6-3.1 | 2.9-3.5 |
| $8.00 | 1.8-2.2 | 2.1-2.5 | 2.4-2.8 | 2.6-3.2 |
| $9.00 | 1.6-1.9 | 1.9-2.2 | 2.1-2.5 | 2.3-2.8 |
| $10.00 | 1.5-1.7 | 1.7-2.0 | 1.9-2.2 | 2.1-2.5 |
| aET range is set at 67 and 80 percent of the economic-injury level. | ||||
| Bean Leaf Beetle Economic Thresholds for Soybeans Based On Number of Bean Leaf Beetles per Foot of Rowa,b | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management Costs per Acre: | $ 7.00 | $ 8.00 | $ 9.00 | $10.00 |
| Market Value per Bushel | ||||
| $ 5.00 | 4.6-5.5 | 5.3-6.3 | 6.0-7.1 | 6.6-7.9 |
| $6.00 | 3.8-4.6 | 4.4-5.2 | 4.9-5.9 | 5.5-6.5 |
| $7.00 | 3.3-3.9 | 3.7-4.4 | 4.2-5.0 | 4.7-5.6 |
| $8.00 | 2.9-3.5 | 3.4-4.0 | 3.8-4.5 | 4.1-5.0 |
| $9.00 | 2.6-3.1 | 3.0-3.5 | 3.3-4.0 | 3.7-4.4 |
| $10.00 | 2.3-2.8 | 2.6-3.2 | 3.0-3.6 | 3.3-4.0 |
| aET range is set at 67 and 80 percent of the economic-injury level. bBased on a row spacing of 30 inches. | ||||
Bean Leaf Beetle Activity
Please note: These dates are approximations only. This calendar was constructed using data from Kentucky, USA. These dates may not apply in your area. You may wish to contact your county extension agent or agricultural consultant for information tailored to your locality.
References and Additional Information