FAQ: What is eating the leaves of my snap beans?

"Something is eating the leaves of my snap beans and chewing holes in the beans. What is responsible for this?"

A likely culprit is the aptly named Mexican Bean Beetle. These beetles eat the underside of the leaf, leaving an intact surface which dies and gives the leaves a distinctive lacy appearance. Both the adults (which are orangey-brown with black spots) and the cream colored larvae do the damage.

Japanese beetles can attack beans, as well. They chew holes all the way through the leaf, ultimately leaving only the vein structure behind. Control is the same for Mexican Bean Beetles and Japanese Beetles.

WHAT TO DO:
Growing fast maturing varieties sown in spring and fall may help you evade the pest, as they are most active in summer.