• 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.

28-spotted ladybird beetles

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.