Due to the length of the growing season and the nature of the crop, soybeans have as many insect pests associated with them as any other major crop produced in this country. Insect damage, however, tends to be more of a problem in the southern states due to the longer growing season. Regardless of geographic location, insect infestations in soybeans rarely become economically important until after full bloom. It usually, but not always, has three black spots on each wing cover. However, this beetle always has a black head as well as a black, triangular area on the forward margin of its wings.
Most species feed heavily on foliage along field margins while some prefer the flowers.
Its wing covers appear slightly striped. The grape colaspis feeds on foliage, but rarely causes any significant damage. Many of these beetles typically congregate together and feed on soybean foliage in June or July. It feeds on the undersurface of leaves between the veins, leaving a lacy network which eventually turns brown. Leaves often are skeletonized by large larvae and webbed together by young larvae.