(Acanthoscelides obtectus)
Biology:
The pear-shaped edible bean beetle grows up to 5 mm long. It is brownish, has light gray longitudinal spots on the wings, which leave the last abdominal rings uncovered, and has greenish-yellow hairs on the upper side. The adult beetles can fly well. The eggs are laid loosely between the stored food substrate, in warmer countries this is also done in the field in the ripening pods. The larvae bore into the seeds of legumes (beans, peas, etc.) and also pupate there. The beetle species is very thermophilic. Overwintering outdoors is not possible in our latitudes.
Damage:
The beetle prefers edible beans as a food substrate, and various legumes (peas, lentils, vetches, etc.) are also attacked. Damage is caused by eating out the seeds; larvae, pupae and young beetles are found inside. Depending on the size of the beans, there can be up to 20 larvae per bean! After the beetles have flown out, the seeds have circular exit holes. The infestation also greatly reduces the germination capacity of the legumes (problem with seeds).
