Autoplusia egena
(Guenée, 1852)
Bean Looper, Bean Leafskeletonizer
Autoplusia egena, commonly known as the Bean Looper or Bean Leafskeletonizer, is a noctuid described by Guenée in 1852. It is widely distributed across the Americas, ranging from California and the southeastern United States through the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The Autoplusia egena galapagensis is to the Galápagos Islands. The larvae are and feed on numerous plant , with documented records from at least nine families including Fabaceae (soybean and common bean).
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Autoplusia egena: /ˌɔːtoʊˈpluːziə ˈɛdʒɛnə/
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Distribution
California; southeastern United States (North Carolina and southward); Antilles; Mexico; Central America; South America (including Brazil: Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina). The Autoplusia egena galapagensis is restricted to the Galápagos Islands.
Diet
Larvae feed on plants in the Amaryllidaceae, Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Boraginaceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, and Ranunculaceae. Documented plants include Glycine max (soybean) and Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean).
Host Associations
- Glycine max - larval food plantsoybean
- Phaseolus vulgaris - larval food plantcommon bean
Human Relevance
Considered an agricultural pest due to larval feeding on economically important legume crops, particularly soybean and common bean. The "Bean Leafskeletonizer" refers to the larval feeding pattern that removes leaf tissue between .
More Details
Subspecies
Two are recognized: Autoplusia egena egena (nominate subspecies) and Autoplusia egena galapagensis ( to the Galápagos Islands).