Beetles of the family, epilachna varivestis feed on lima, pole, and bush beans giving plant tissues a lacelike appearance and occasionally killing off entire plants. Tissue between leaf veins is eaten on the plants and leaves eventually dry up and die off.
Females lay eggs on the undersides of leaves.
Eggs are yellow. Larvae hatch in early to mid-summer turning green then yellow. Both adults and larvae feed on leaf tissue. 1 to 4 generations of damage may occur each year, with all levels of maturity in the beetles being represented at any given time. When you first notice damage, apply insecticide containing diazinon or carbaryl, making sure you coat undersides of leaves.