The lady bug is to the plant tops what the earthworm is to the roots - a BFF!
Above is a the life cycle of the Ladybug. Important for you anxious insect killers to know so you don't kill the good guys. For most folks, it's easy to recognize the adult. In the larvae stage they look like a tiny lizard. But even in the larvae stage they can consume over 40 aphids a day. In the pupae stage you may notice them stuck to a leaf or stem, just leave them alone. When they hatch from pupae to Ladybug, you can literally what it before you eyes, final stage takes about 30 minutes.
It can be confusing to know who eggs are who's, which to squish and which to leave. Each insect type usually lays an approximate number of eggs in a cluster, and are of course a certain size. These eggs look similar to CPB (Colorado Potato Beetle) but smaller, so take your investigation one step farther....what type of plant are the eggs on? If potato, more than likely the CPB - squish! It's not easy to check all the undersides of leaves for eggs - that's why they are successful.
Is this a Mexican Bean Beetle or a LadyBug? Yes and yes. One of the only plant eating ladybugs. There are over 400 colors/configurations of lady bugs, yes even yellow ones. Again, investigate if you are unsure. What are they doing? Observe a while if not sure - if eating plant material than likely the MBB. Kill. Dusting works well, but don't wait until your plants are destroyed, get on it right away, and don't dust when beans are on the plants. If problem arises after plants are loaded with beans here are your options: Pick all the beans - all sizes, then dust the plants, or if only a few insects attempt to hand pick. Many of the garden dust products are organic like 'rotenone' 'sabidilla dust' and pyrethrums. For more insect info, type an insect name in the search box, upper left of this page. Got a question? Post it in the comment box.
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