Examining Host Selection by Mexican Bean Beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Using Mark-Release-Recapture

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Entomology
• Crop Science
• Pest Management

Background:

• Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis Mulsant) is a key pest affecting snap and lima beans in the eastern US.
• Current organic management strategies, including parasitoid releases and organic insecticides, yield inconsistent results.
• Development of cultural management techniques like trap cropping is crucial for sustainable pest control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate preferential host selection of five bean cultivars by the Mexican bean beetle.
• To identify potential trap crops for managing Epilachna varivestis populations.
• To inform the development of push-pull systems for pest control.

Main Methods:

• Field cage and open plot experiments were conducted using marked Mexican bean beetles.
• Five bean cultivars were tested for host preference.
• Beetle locations on plants were monitored over time.

Main Results:

• In field cages, Dragon's Tongue (DT) purple wax bean was significantly preferred over other tested beans and soybean.
• Open field experiments showed wax beans were equally preferred, followed by green and lima beans, with soybean being least preferred.
• Adult beetle recaptures decreased over time in open plots, indicating dispersal behavior.

Conclusions:

• Dragon's Tongue (DT) purple wax bean demonstrates potential as a trap crop for Mexican bean beetle management.
• Findings support the use of DT in attract-and-kill strategies.
• Further research into cultural control methods is warranted for sustainable pest management.