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Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Mini Fact Sheet Edition

Eggplant 28-spot ladybird beetle (058)

Photo 1. Adults and larvae of 28-spotted ladybird beetles, Epilachna species.

Photo 2. Larvae of ladybird beetles, possibly, Epilachna signatipennis, stripping the leaf surface of yard long bean.

Photo 3. Grazing and small holes in eggplant leaves caused by the 28-spotted ladybird beetle, Epilachna species.

Photo 4. Holes on leaves of eggplant made by adult eggplant or 28-spotted ladybird beetle, Epilachna species.

Photo 5. Larvae of eggplant or 28-spotted ladybird beetles, Epilachna species, grazing on eggplant, whereas the adults chew through, making large holes.

Photo 6. 28-spotted ladybird beetle, Epilachna species, on potato.

Summary

Widespread distribution. Asia, South America, Oceania. Different types feed on eggplant, beans, cucumber, maize, weeds.
Eggs in groups of 10-20 on underside of leaves. Larvae graze underside of leaves; adults feed on both sides, often making holes. Adults with stiff hairs on upper surface, unlike beneficial ladybird beetles.
Natural enemies: parasitoid wasps.
Cultural control: avoid planting near older infected crops; hand pick larvae if number is small; weed; collect and burn trash after harvest.
Chemical control: use wood ash mixed with lime (50:50); PDPs: chilli, derris, neem, or pyrethrum; or synthetic pyrethroids, but likely to kill natural enemies.

Common Name

28-spotted ladybird beetles

Scientific Name

Epilachna (Henosepilachna) species. Note, 28-spotted ladybird beetles are a complex of species. Note, too, the number of spots is variable, and cannot be used to identify ladybird beetles. Waterhouse lists five species that are recorded from Oceania: Epilachna vigintioctopunctata pardalis; Epilachna vigintisexpunctata; Epilachna vigintisexpunctata doryca; Epilachna cucurbitae; and Epilachna guttatopustulata.

AUTHORS Helen Tsatsia & Grahame Jackson
Informatiion from Waterhouse DF, Norris KR (1987) Biological Control Pacific Prospects. Inkata Press. Assistance; and from Wilco Liebregts, Eco-Consult Pacific, Fiji. Photo 1 Gerald McCormack, Cook Islands Biodiversity & Natural Heritage. (http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/). Photos 2&4 Graham Teakle, Canberra.

Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

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