Legume-pest
Guides
Acanthoscelides
bean weevils
Acanthoscelides is a genus of bean weevils in the subfamily Bruchinae, native to the New World with highest diversity in Mexico. The genus contains approximately 300–340 described species with over 200 additional undescribed species. Historically functioning as a wastebasket taxon, species were transferred into this genus from other genera (primarily Bruchus) in 1946. Beetles in this genus are small seed predators that develop within legume seeds, with some species achieving worldwide pest status while others serve as biological control agents.
Acanthoscelides aureolus
Licorice Seed Beetle
Acanthoscelides aureolus is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the Licorice Seed Beetle. It is distributed across Central America and North America, with records extending as far north as Alberta, Canada. The genus Acanthoscelides is known for seed-feeding beetles, many of which are associated with leguminous plants.
Acanthoscelides obtectus
Bean Weevil, Bean Bruchid, Dry Bean Weevil
Acanthoscelides obtectus is a small bruchid beetle and major pest of stored legume seeds, particularly common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Native to mountainous regions of northern South America, it has spread globally through grain shipments and now occurs on every continent except Antarctica. The species is notable for its ability to infest seeds both in the field and in storage, with larvae developing entirely within seeds while adults feed on pollen. Its economic impact stems from reduced seed quality, germination failure, and contamination of legume products.
Acyrthosiphon
pea aphids
Acyrthosiphon is a genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, established by Alexander Mordvilko in 1914. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution and includes several economically important agricultural pests. The best-known species, Acyrthosiphon pisum (pea aphid), is a major pest of legume crops and serves as a model organism for studies of insect-bacteria symbiosis, particularly its relationship with the obligate endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola.
Acyrthosiphon pisum
Pea aphid, green dolphin, pea louse, clover louse
Acyrthosiphon pisum, the pea aphid, is a sap-sucking hemipteran and major agricultural pest of legume crops worldwide. It is notable as the first hemimetabolous insect with a fully sequenced genome and serves as a model organism for studying aphid biology, endosymbiosis, polyphenism, and asexual reproduction. The species exhibits complex polyphenism with multiple morphs including winged and wingless parthenogenetic females, sexual males and females, and green or red/pink color morphs. Its survival depends entirely on the obligate endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola, which provides essential amino acids lacking in its phloem sap diet.
Aphis craccae
Tufted Vetch Aphid
Aphis craccae, commonly known as the Tufted Vetch Aphid, is an aphid species in the family Aphididae. It is associated with leguminous host plants, particularly vetch species (Vicia spp.). The species was first described by Linnaeus in 1758. Observations indicate it occurs in parts of Europe including Belgium, Denmark, and Norway.
Aphis craccivora
cowpea aphid, groundnut aphid, black legume aphid
Aphis craccivora is a small, dark-colored aphid of probable Palearctic origin that has become a cosmopolitan agricultural pest. It is polyphagous but shows strong preference for leguminous plants, particularly cowpea, groundnut, and alfalfa. The species reproduces primarily through parthenogenesis, with winged forms developing for dispersal. It is a significant pest due to direct feeding damage, honeydew production that promotes sooty mold growth, and its role as a vector for multiple plant viruses.
Brachyplatys subaeneus
black bean bug
Brachyplatys subaeneus, commonly known as the black bean bug, is a shield bug in the family Plataspidae native to Asia. It has established invasive populations in the Western Hemisphere, first detected in Panama in 2012 and subsequently reported from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, and Florida (USA). The species is a significant agricultural pest with a strong preference for legume crops, though it feeds on multiple plant families. Genetic studies have identified three distinct lineages within its native range and traced invasive populations to specific source regions.
Bruchidius terrenus
Bruchidius terrenus is a seed beetle (Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) first described by Sharp in 1886. The species has been recorded across parts of Europe (Bulgaria, France, Romania) and the conterminous United States, though its North American presence may represent introduction. Like other Bruchidius species, it is a seed-feeding beetle whose larvae develop inside legume seeds. The species has been treated under the genus Pygobruchidius in some classifications, reflecting ongoing taxonomic uncertainty in this group.
Bruchini
seed beetles, bean weevils
Bruchini is a tribe of small beetles within the subfamily Bruchinae, commonly known as seed beetles or bean weevils. Despite their common name, they are true beetles (Coleoptera), not weevils (Curculionidae). Members of this tribe are characterized by their compact, oval bodies and association with legume and other plant seeds. The tribe contains numerous genera, including Bruchus and Acanthoscelides, many of which are significant agricultural pests.
Callosobruchus maculatus
cowpea weevil, cowpea seed beetle, bean beetle
Callosobruchus maculatus is a seed beetle (family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae) commonly known as the cowpea weevil or cowpea seed beetle, despite not being a true weevil. It is a major pest of stored legumes, particularly cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), causing seed losses of 60–100% in infested stores. The species has a cosmopolitan distribution across all continents except Antarctica, having spread globally through human trade of legumes. It exhibits notable sexual dimorphism, with females typically darker and larger than males. The species is widely used as a model organism in evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, and developmental studies due to its rapid generation time, ease of laboratory rearing, and well-characterized life history.
Callosobruchus phaseoli
cowpea weevil, bean weevil
Callosobruchus phaseoli is a seed beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae, commonly known as the cowpea weevil. Native to India, it has become a widespread invasive pest of legume crops across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Adults emerge from infested seeds and immediately mate, with females beginning egg-laying on the same day. The species causes significant damage to stored legume seeds and is known to exhibit scramble competition behavior during larval development.
Chalcodermus aeneus
Cowpea Curculio
Chalcodermus aeneus, commonly known as the cowpea curculio, is a true weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) that is a significant agricultural pest of legume crops in the southeastern United States. The species is particularly damaging to cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and southern peas. Adults and larvae cause economic damage to developing seeds and pods. Management of this pest remains challenging due to its life history characteristics and the limited effectiveness of available control methods.
Elasmopalpus
lesser cornstalk borer (for E. lignosellus)
Elasmopalpus is a genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, subfamily Phycitinae, described by Émile Blanchard in 1852. The genus is restricted to the Americas and currently comprises three species. The type species E. angustellus was described with the genus, while E. corrientellus was added in 1888 and E. lignosellus in 1848. The genus is considered closely related to Ufa. The most well-known species, E. lignosellus (lesser cornstalk borer), is a significant agricultural pest of Poaceae and Fabaceae crops throughout the Americas.
Epilachna varivestis
Mexican bean beetle
Epilachna varivestis, commonly known as the Mexican bean beetle, is a phytophagous lady beetle native to the high elevations of western Mexico and Central America. It is one of few North American coccinellids that feeds exclusively on plants rather than other insects. The species became established in the western United States in the late 1800s and spread rapidly across the eastern United States during the 1920s, reaching southern Canada within five years. It remains a significant agricultural pest of leguminous crops, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Etiella
snout moths, pod borers, limabean pod borers
Etiella is a genus of snout moths (Pyralidae: Phycitinae) described by Philipp Christoph Zeller in 1839. The genus contains approximately seven described species, with Etiella zinckenella being the most economically significant as a major pest of legume crops worldwide. Species in this genus are characterized by their larval habit of boring into pods of leguminous plants, causing substantial agricultural damage. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution spanning tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions across multiple continents.
Etiella zinckenella
pulse pod borer moth, Gold-banded Etiella Moth, limabean pod borer
Etiella zinckenella is a pyralid moth and significant agricultural pest of leguminous crops. Native to southern and eastern Europe, it has spread throughout tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia, with introduced populations in North America and Australia. Larvae feed internally on developing seeds within pods, causing direct damage to economically important crops including soybean, mung bean, cowpea, pigeonpea, and common bean. The species is subject to substantial biological control pressure from multiple hymenopteran parasitoids.
Euschistus quadrator
quadrate stink bug
Euschistus quadrator is a stink bug species in the family Pentatomidae, first described by Rolston in 1874. It belongs to the brown stink bug group (Euschistus spp.), which are recognized agricultural pests in soybean and other legume crops. The species occurs across Central America and North America, where it feeds on plant juices using piercing-sucking mouthparts. Like other Euschistus species, it has been observed to cause pod and seed damage in soybeans, though specific damage thresholds for this species have not been independently quantified.
Hylastinus
clover root borer (for H. obscurus)
A genus of crenulate bark beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) comprising approximately 11 described species. The genus is best known through Hylastinus obscurus, the clover root borer, which has been extensively studied due to its status as a major agricultural pest of red clover (Trifolium pratense). Members develop in roots of leguminous plants, with larvae creating short galleries in root tissues. The genus has a Palearctic native distribution but H. obscurus has been introduced to North and South America where it causes significant crop damage.
Hypera
clover weevils, alfalfa weevils
Hypera is a large genus of weevils in the family Curculionidae, tribe Hyperini, containing at least 280 described species. The genus includes several economically significant agricultural pests, notably the alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica), which is the most problematic insect pest for alfalfa growers in the western United States. Species in this genus are associated with leguminous host plants, particularly clovers (Trifolium spp.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa).
Kytorhinus
Kytorhinus is a genus of seed beetles in the subfamily Bruchinae, family Chrysomelidae. The genus includes species that are specialized seed predators of leguminous plants. Kytorhinus sharpianus, the most studied species, exhibits complex multivoltine life cycles with photoperiodically induced larval diapause and shows female-biased sex ratios in field populations. Adults are small beetles that oviposit on host plant pods, with larvae developing inside seeds.
Lamprosema
Lamprosema is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, subfamily Spilomelinae, described by Jacob Hübner in 1823. The genus contains approximately 80 described species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Pacific Islands. Several species are documented as agricultural pests, particularly on leguminous crops. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with some species transferred to other genera over time.
Maruca
bean pod borers
Maruca is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, commonly known as bean pod borers. The genus includes economically significant agricultural pests, particularly Maruca vitrata (legume pod borer), which attacks a wide range of legume crops. Species in this genus are distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Pacific. The larvae are specialized feeders on leguminous plants, causing damage to pods and seeds.
Maruca vitrata
legume pod borer, maruca pod borer, bean pod borer, soybean pod borer, mung moth, spotted pod borer
Maruca vitrata is a pantropical moth and major agricultural pest of leguminous crops, particularly affecting cowpea, pigeon pea, mung bean, and soybean. Larvae feed on flower buds, flowers, and young pods, causing yield losses of 20–80% in susceptible cowpea varieties. The species has low genetic differentiation across its range due to high gene flow, with populations in India showing evidence of recent demographic expansion. It serves as host for several parasitoid wasps (Braconidae, Ichneumonidae) and flies (Tachinidae) that provide biological control.
Megalurothrips
bean flower thrips, oriental bean thrips, Asian bean thrips
Megalurothrips is a genus of thrips in family Thripidae, established by Bagnall in 1915. The genus contains approximately 15 described species distributed across the Old World and Australia. The most economically significant species, Megalurothrips usitatus, is a major pest of leguminous crops, particularly cowpea, soybean, and common bean, causing damage to flowers and developing pods. Several species have been introduced beyond their native ranges, with M. usitatus recently detected in the Americas.
Mimosestes nubigens
Mimosestes nubigens is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae (seed beetles). It has been recorded across an exceptionally broad geographic range spanning five continents, including North America, Central America, South America, Southern Asia, and Oceania. The genus Mimosestes is associated with leguminous host plants, particularly species of Mimosa. This wide distribution suggests either human-mediated dispersal or association with widely cultivated host plants.
Monoptilota
lima-bean vine borer moth
Monoptilota is a monotypic genus of snout moths in the family Pyralidae, containing only the lima-bean vine borer moth (Monoptilota pergratialis). The genus was established by George Duryea Hulst in 1900. The single species is a pest of leguminous crops in the United States.
Neomegalotomus
Neomegalotomus is a genus of broad-headed bugs in the family Alydidae, established in 1998. The genus contains at least two described species: N. parvus and N. rufipes. Most biological knowledge derives from studies of N. parvus, a Neotropical pest of legume crops. The genus is characterized by broad head morphology typical of Alydidae and is associated with Fabaceae hosts.
Omiodes indicata
bean-leaf webworm moth, soybean leaf folder
Omiodes indicata is a small crambid moth with a wingspan of approximately 20 mm. It is a significant agricultural pest of leguminous crops across tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The species is multivoltine with overlapping generations, causing damage throughout the year.
Ophiomyia
Ophiomyia is a genus of leaf-mining flies in the family Agromyzidae, established by Brazhnikov in 1897. The genus contains over 200 described species distributed worldwide, with particularly significant agricultural impact in tropical and subtropical regions. Several species, notably O. phaseoli, O. spencerella, and O. centrosematis, are major pests of leguminous crops, with larvae feeding internally in stems and leaves. The genus exhibits diverse host associations across multiple plant families, though many species show specialization on particular host genera.
Pachymerina
Pachymerina is a subtribe of seed beetles within the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae. The group was established by Bridwell in 1929 and is classified within the tribe Pachymerini. Members of this subtribe are characterized by their association with legume seeds. The taxonomic placement reflects morphological and biological affinities among constituent genera.
Pachymerini
Pachymerini is a tribe of seed beetles (family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae) established by Bridwell in 1929. Members are primarily associated with legume seeds as hosts. The tribe includes several genera of economic importance due to their seed-feeding habits.
Piezodorus guildinii
Red-banded Stink Bug, Redbanded Stink Bug, Small Green Stink Bug, Alfalfa Bug
Piezodorus guildinii, commonly known as the red-banded stink bug, is a pentatomid stink bug native to the Neotropics that has become a significant agricultural pest in the southern United States since around 2000. It is smaller and more agile than other stink bug pests, with documented resistance to multiple insecticide classes. The species causes substantial economic damage to soybean and other legume crops through sap feeding on seeds, pods, flowers, stems, and leaves, and has been linked to delayed maturity syndrome in soybeans.
Rhyssomatus suspected-new
A suspected new species in the weevil genus Rhyssomatus, family Curculionidae. The genus Rhyssomatus contains several economically significant agricultural pests, most notably R. subtilis (the "black weevil" or "picudo negro") which is a major pest of soybean in Tucumán Province, Argentina, and R. nigerrimus, the soybean weevil of Mexico. Members of this genus are characterized by their association with leguminous crops, particularly soybean and dry beans, with larvae typically developing within pods or stems and adults feeding on foliage. The suspected-new designation indicates this taxon has been observed but not yet formally described or fully characterized.
Sibinia setosa
leguminous seed weevil
Sibinia setosa is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae, described by Clark in 1978. It belongs to the genus Sibinia, commonly known as leguminous seed weevils. The species is recorded from North America. As a member of Curculionidae, it possesses the characteristic elongated rostrum typical of weevils.
Sitona hispidulus
Clover Root Curculio, Clover Weevil
Sitona hispidulus, the clover root curculio, is a weevil species native to Europe that has been introduced to Asia and North America. The larval stage is the most damaging, feeding cryptically underground on root nodules and taproots of legumes, particularly alfalfa and clovers. Adults feed on foliage with minimal damage. The species has been overlooked as a pest for decades but causes chronic issues including reduced stand establishment, shortened stand life, and increased winterkill in forage systems. Population levels are limited by availability of root nodules for early instars and taproot biomass for later instars.
Spissistilus festinus
threecornered alfalfa hopper, three-cornered alfalfa hopper
Spissistilus festinus is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, commonly known as the threecornered alfalfa hopper. It is a significant agricultural pest of leguminous crops, particularly alfalfa, soybeans, and peanuts, causing damage through stem girdling. The species has gained additional economic importance as the confirmed vector of Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV), a pathogen threatening North American viticulture. Two distinct genetic lineages exist in the United States—Southeastern and Californian—with documented differences in viral transmission efficiency. The species exhibits a hemimetabolous life cycle with temperature-dependent development rates and uses substrate-borne vibrational signals in mating communication.
Stator
seed beetles
Stator is a genus of seed beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, established by Bridwell in 1946. The genus contains approximately 14 described species. Most members are specialized feeders on legume seeds (Fabaceae), with larvae developing inside seeds. These beetles are of economic importance as pests of stored legumes.
Stator limbatus
Stator limbatus is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and northern South America. It has established populations in multiple regions outside its native range, including Hawaii, South Africa, the Middle East, and Mediterranean islands. The species occupies xeric and semi-arid environments and has been documented feeding on legume seeds.
Tanaostigmatidae
Tanaostigmatidae is a small family of chalcidoid wasps comprising approximately 90 species in 9 genera. Unlike most chalcidoids, they are almost exclusively phytophagous rather than parasitoid, inducing galls in plant stems, leaves, or seeds. The family is primarily distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Members are typically short, squat wasps with distinctive morphological features including a protruding prepectus and a strongly arched mesonotum that renders the pronotum nearly vertical.
Tanaostigmodes
Tanaostigmodes is a genus of chalcid wasps in the family Tanaostigmatidae, established by Ashmead in 1896. Species in this genus exhibit diverse host associations with Fabaceae, including fruit-feeding and gall-inducing behaviors. Some species have reached pest status on cultivated legumes, while others induce distinct gall morphotypes on native plants. The genus is distributed across multiple continents including Asia and the Americas.
Thyanta pallidovirens
Red-shouldered Stink Bug, Redshouldered Stink Bug
Thyanta pallidovirens, commonly known as the red-shouldered stink bug, is a phytophagous stink bug species in the family Pentatomidae native to North and Central America. It is recognized by a thin red band across the pronotum (the "shoulders"), which distinguishes it from similar green stink bugs. The species is an agricultural pest of legume crops including peas, lentils, and soybeans, feeding primarily on developing pods and seeds. Males use pheromones and vibrational signals to attract mates, with copulation lasting an average of 3.5 hours.
Tychius meliloti
Sweet Clover Weevil
Tychius meliloti is a small weevil in the tribe Tychiini, native to Europe and introduced to North America. In Canada, it has been recorded from scattered localities in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. The species is associated with sweet clover (Melilotus spp.) as host plants. It represents one of four European Tychius species established in North America.
Tychius stephensi
red clover seed weevil
Tychius stephensi is a small weevil in the family Curculionidae, commonly known as the red clover seed weevil. The species is native to Europe and has been introduced to North America, where it is now widespread. It is associated with leguminous host plants, particularly species of Trifolium (clover). As a seed weevil, it develops within the seeds of its host plants.
Zabrotes arenarius
Zabrotes arenarius is a species of seed beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae. The species was described by Wolcott in 1912. Like other members of the genus Zabrotes, this species is associated with legume seeds, though specific host records for Z. arenarius remain limited. The genus is primarily distributed in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Zabrotes subfasciatus
Mexican bean weevil
Zabrotes subfasciatus, commonly known as the Mexican bean weevil, is a small bruchine beetle that infests stored legume seeds, particularly common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Females deposit eggs on seed coats; larvae develop endophytically within the cotyledons, consuming the seed from the inside. A single seed can support up to 20 emerging adults. The species has demonstrated capacity to utilize alternative hosts including cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), lentil, chickpea, and soybean, with populations showing plasticity in host preference through artificial selection. Development from egg to adult takes approximately 34 days at 27°C and 70% relative humidity. Maximum female fecundity is around 55 eggs. The species is a significant post-harvest pest in tropical regions, with reported production losses up to 35%.