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
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
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.
http://www.avrdc.org/LC/eggplant/epilachna.html
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.
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