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Bean leaf beetle / Leaf-eating beetles

Damage: Adult beetles chew round holes in leaves. Heavy feeding gives that yellowed, “shot-hole” look. Larvae can also feed on roots/nodules.
Impact: Reduces photosynthesis, stunts growth, lowers yield.

Quick field checks you can do:
1. Shake plants over a white cloth - see how many beetles drop off.
2. Look for feeding damage: round holes vs. leaf margins eaten.
3. Check for pods with exit holes if crop is podding.

IPM tips for beans in Zimbabwe/SADC:
1. Scout twice weekly from emergence to pod fill. Economic threshold is about 20-25% defoliation before flowering, 10-15% after flowering.
2. Cultural: Early planting, crop rotation, destroy crop residues to break pest cycle.
3. Biological: Natural predators like ladybirds help control aphids.
4. Chemical: If threshold is passed, use registered products. Rotate actives to avoid resistance. Always follow label + PHI, especially if beans are for export.

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