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Epilachna varivestis

Basic information
Scientific name Epilachna varivestis

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インゲンテントウ
Common names mexican bean beetle
Higher taxon Coccinellidae, Cucujoidea, Coleoptera
Natural range Mexico to Central America.
Habitat Montane regions in natural range. Bean fields in non-native range.
Invasion information
Range in Japan Highland (500-1300m alt.) in northwestern Yamanashi Pref. to Suwako Lakein Nagano Pref. Range in Japan
Origin Unknown.
Date 1994 or earlier
Route Unknown for the Japanese population.
Spread in USA may be due to transport of alfalfa (fabaceous pasture).
Impact Actually: Predation on fabaceous plants, and damage on agriculture of beans (especially soy bean and common bean).
Native organism(s) affected: Fabaceous plants. Among crop plants, common bean, soy bean, adzuki bean can be host for this species, whereas fava bean cannot.
Regulation in Japan Family Coccinellidae is desgnated as a Quarantine Pest (the Plant Protection Law).
Introduced range in other countries USA and Canada
Reference Notes
  • Abe et al. (2000) Exploitation of Fabaceae plants by the Mexican bean beetle Epilachna varivestis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Japan. Appl Entomol Zool. 35(1), 81-85.
  • Ecol Soc Jpn (ed) (2002) Handbook of Alien Species in Japan. Chijinshokan, Tokyo (in Jpn)
  • Fujiyama et al. (1998) Report of the Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Japan. Appl Entomol Zool. 33, 327-331.
  • Fujiyama & Shirai (1998) An exotic ladybird unexpectedly found illustrated in an insect atlas for children. Insectarium. 35, 40-45 (in Jpn)
  • Matsumoto et al. (2000) Survey for occurrence of the Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) three years after first report in Japan. Proc Kanto-Tosan Plant Prot Soc. 47, 141-143 (in Jpn)
  • Plant Protection Station (2011) The Plant Protection Act. Quarantine Pest List. (Accessed on 2012-6-15) http://www.pps.go.jp/law_active/Notification/basis/5/245/html/245.html (in Jpn)
  • Shirai & Yara (2001) Potential distribution area of the Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Japan, estimated from its high-temperature tolerance. Appl Entomol Zool. 36, 409-417.
  • etc.
 100 of the Japan’s Worst Invasive Alien Species

Based on temperature tolerance data, the entire northeastern Japan can be potential geographic range of this species.