Ladybugs vs Mexican Bean Beetles?

General Fruit Growing
1

Folks -
I have a lot of ladybug/beetles waking up in my house and I’m trying to collect/rescue them and release them outside on warm days. I want to be sure I’m not saving any Mexican Bean Beetles though. What’s the best way to tell them apart?

From looking at pictures, the ladybugs are darker red and have big white “eyes” in the front, and the Mexican Bean Beetles are more orange in color, and don’t have the white eyes. Are the “white eyes” a good field mark?

I ask because I have some very orange looking bugs with white “eyes”. From the color, they look like Mexican Bean Beetles, but from, the “eyes” they look like ladybugs. But I’m not sure what they really are. Help!!

Thanks,
Bart

1 Like
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I’m in CA and I’m not familiar with bean beetles but saw this guy on a pear tree. “Sadly” he didn’t make it. Waiting for the mantis eggs in the yard to hatch and take care of business

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Thanks ILPF!! And wow! I think you nailed my beetle!

I was using the book, “Good Bug, Bad Bug” by Jessica Walliser as a reference and she only had the Mexican Bean Beetle in there.

I think you figured out my problem!

Thanks again!

2 Likes
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The Mexican Bean Beetle is in the same family as Lady Beetles.
Post a picture of your beetles if you want a second opinion on the
specific species.

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That may be a Potato Beetle larvae. I usually see them eating thistle.

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The larvae of ladybug/malb and mexican bean beetle look very different. As for the adults, MBBs only come in that clay/sand brown color and have no marking on their head.

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It did look more like larvae than a fully formed bug with a hard carapace
Thanks!