If your bean leaves look lacy or skeletonized, Mexican bean beetles may be the cause.
What They Look Like
Mexican bean beetles are small, round beetles that are orange with black spots.
They resemble ladybugs but are plant-damaging pests, not beneficial insects.
Larvae are yellow to orange with short spines and are often found on the undersides of leaves.
Eggs are bright yellow and laid in tight clusters under leaves.
Damage Signs
Leaves appear skeletonized, with tissue eaten between veins
Leaves may turn brown and dry after feeding
Damage often spreads quickly across plants
Plants may become weak and produce fewer beans
Plants Affected
Beans, including bush and pole beans
Lima beans
Soybeans
Other legumes occasionally
Fast Control (Start Here)
Check undersides of leaves daily
Remove and crush egg clusters
Handpick larvae and adults as soon as they appear
Remove heavily damaged leaves early
Additional Control Options
Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap to affected plants
Treat early while larvae are small
Focus treatments on leaf undersides
Repeat applications as needed
Prevention
Rotate bean crops each season
Keep garden beds clean to reduce overwintering sites
Plant early or stagger plantings to avoid peak populations
Encourage beneficial insects that prey on larvae
Notes for Gardeners
These beetles are often mistaken for ladybugs, which delays control
Larvae cause the most damage, more than adults
Populations can build quickly if not managed early
Early detection makes control simple and prevents widespread damage
See Also
Garden Pest Identification Guide (The Dirty Dozen)
How To Identify Beneficial Insects
Common Bean Pests
