Pest identification

What's eating my black turtle bean?

Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis)

Signs: Leaves skeletonized from below; yellow, lacy appearance; yield loss when severe

Control: Scout undersides for yellow egg clusters; hand-pick, apply neem oil or spinosad, release Pediobius wasps

Bean leaf beetle (Cerotoma trifurcata)

Signs: Round 1/4-inch holes in leaves; can transmit bean pod mottle virus

Control: Row covers on young plants, pyrethrin spray at threshold (>15% defoliation), beneficial nematodes for soil pupae

Aphids

Signs: Sticky leaves, curled shoot tips, and possible mosaic virus spread

Control: Jet of water, insecticidal soap, companion-plant with dill or fennel to attract beneficials

Rabbits

Signs: Cleanly clipped seedling stems and browsed young leaves

Control: 1-inch hardware cloth fence at least 2 ft tall buried a few inches into soil

Keep black turtle bean pest-free

Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:

What eats bean — the species this cultivar belongs to
What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
Common black turtle bean problems & fixes
Black Turtle Bean watering schedule
Black Turtle Bean light requirements
Full black turtle bean care guide

Black Turtle Bean pests — FAQ

What is eating my black turtle bean?

Black turtle beans share the pest profile of all common beans: Mexican bean beetles skeletonize leaves, aphids cluster on new growth, bean leaf beetles chew round holes, and bean weevils attack stored seed. Rabbits browse tender shoots in the garden. Mexican bean beetle is the most damaging field pest in North American gardens.

How do I get rid of mexican bean beetle (epilachna varivestis) on black turtle bean?

Leaves skeletonized from below; yellow, lacy appearance; yield loss when severe Scout undersides for yellow egg clusters; hand-pick, apply neem oil or spinosad, release Pediobius wasps

How do I get rid of bean leaf beetle (cerotoma trifurcata) on black turtle bean?

Round 1/4-inch holes in leaves; can transmit bean pod mottle virus Row covers on young plants, pyrethrin spray at threshold (>15% defoliation), beneficial nematodes for soil pupae

How do I get rid of aphids on black turtle bean?

Sticky leaves, curled shoot tips, and possible mosaic virus spread Jet of water, insecticidal soap, companion-plant with dill or fennel to attract beneficials

How do I get rid of rabbits on black turtle bean?

Cleanly clipped seedling stems and browsed young leaves 1-inch hardware cloth fence at least 2 ft tall buried a few inches into soil