Bean beetle (Acanthoscelides obtectus)

Identification: The bean beetle is 3-5 mm long and olive brown with dark brown spots. The elytra do not entirely cover the abdomen. The larvae are white, and in their first stage the larvae have three pairs of legs.

Life cycle: Once they have drilled themselves into the bean and have gone through four molts they are legless. A female lays about 50 eggs between the beans. The larvae bore into the beans and develop inside the bean. Several larvae can live in one bean. The development from egg to adult is 70-80 days at 13 ºC.

Commodities infested: The bean beetle prefers stocks of white, brown, kidney and broad beans. During an exceptionally warm summer bean beetles also damage beans in the field. They pierce the skins of the beans, making round holes in the bean creation. The beans are contaminated and eroded. Once infested, beans are no longer fit for consumption.

The cool storage of beans and no mixing of old crop with new crop are preventive measures that can be deployed.

Treatment: Controlled Atmosphere for infestation in the product
Treatment: Heat Treatment for infestation in buildings