Mexican Bean Beetle vs Large White

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mexican Bean Beetle Large White
Scientific Name Epilachna varivestis Pieris brassicae
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Coccinellidae Pieridae
Size 6-8 mm 58-63 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions North America, Central America Europe, Asia, Africa
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Mexican Bean Beetle

One of the few plant-feeding ladybird beetles, recognized by its copper color and eight black spots per wing cover. Both adults and larvae skeletonize bean leaves.

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Did You Know?

Unlike most ladybugs which are beneficial predators, the Mexican bean beetle is a destructive crop pest.

Large White

A common white butterfly with black wingtips and one or two black spots on the forewing. Its green-yellow caterpillars are a major agricultural pest of brassica crops.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillars sequester mustard oils from their food plants and can spray these noxious chemicals at attacking predators.