AVRDC International Cooperators'
Fact Sheet

Eggplant Insect Pests
 

Epilachna beetles
Epilachna duodecastigma (12-spotted)
Epilachna vigintioctopunctata (28-spotted)

In This Guide
  Damage symptoms
  Insect characteristics 
  Where to look
  Technical information 
  Control 

Damage symptoms

Leaf tissue is eaten between the veins. The leaves may be completely stripped to the mid-vein, and small areas eaten out and/or shallow holes may be present on the fruit surface.		  

Damage
 

Damage

Insect characteristics

Chewing mouthparts. Adults and the young are often seen living together. Adults are familiar and look like common lady beetles. They are oval-shaped, brownish with black spots on their backs. The young are pale yellow and have branched spines covering their backs and sides.		  

Immature
 

Immature

Where to look

Look at both sides of the leaves where the beetles should be evident. Adults fall to the ground or fly when you disturb them. The young normally stay in place. Due to their yellow color, they can easily be found. Their sizes vary.

Technical information

Most of the ladybird beetles feed on other insects. However, the ones described here are exceptions. The yellow eggs are commonly laid on the underside of leaves, and look like little kegs grouped together. Insects in all stages can be found on leaves. Pupae can be recognized easily because one end of their bodies is cemented in place and often, partial adult characteristics can be seen. Different species of Epilachna feed on tomato, potato, cucurbits, and beans.

Control

Several organic insecticides are effective against Epilachna beetles and there are no reports of chemical control failures. Check with your local extension service for recommended chemicals.

All stages of the insect are exposed on the plants and may be handpicked.

Cultivars Arka Shirish, Hissar Selection 14 and Shankar Vijay were reported to resist damage of Epilachna beetle, especially E. vigintioctopunctata.
Last updated: July 2000. 
Information from: Field Guide: Insect Pests of Selected Vegetables in Tropical and Subtropical Asia. 1995. B.L. Parker, N.S. Talekar and M. Skinner. Publication 94-427. Pest control recommendations added. 

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