Bean Leafroller, Urbanus proteus
(Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae)

The bean leafroller is found throughout Florida and in coastal areas from California to Texas. It invades most of the southeastern states and cannot tolerate prolonged freezing temperatures. The bean leafroller can complete its life cycle in about 30 days. Adults may be seen migrating south in the autumn and north in the spring and summer. The eggs are white in color but soon turn yellow. The larvae are yellowish with a large brownish-black head, narrow “neck” region, and many black spots are present on the back of the larvae. The larva pupates on the plant and the pupa is yellow to brown and is covered by a bluish-white pubescence. The adult is fairly large and has prolonged extensions, or tails, on the hind wings. The adult is also known as the long-tailed skipper. The forewing and hind wing are chocolate brown on the top and pale brown on the bottom. The forewings will have five to seven square or rectangular spots that are white on the top and brown on the bottom. Green scales are also present on the wings and the body.

While this species is a serious garden pest, it is not a serious issue in commercial vegetable production. The bean leafroller feeds on cowpea, lima bean, pea, snap bean, and soybean. The larvae defoliate the plants feeding only on leafy tissue of legumes (bean and its relatives). The larva cuts a small patch in the edge of the leaf, folds over the flap, and takes up residence within this shelter. The larva leaves this shelter to feed at night. Sampling of the bean leafroller is usually accomplished by visual observation. Economic thresholds are established for beans and levels are set at 140 eggs or 70 first stage larvae per plant. Most insecticides that are applied to the foliage are very effective in suppression of bean leafroller populations. Many biological control agents are naturally occurring but no biological control agents are commercially available.

Images

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Bean leafroller damage to beans.
(Photographer: J. Castner, University of Florida)

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Bean leafroller, Urbanus proteus, larva.
(Photographer: L. Buss, University of Florida)

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Bean leafroller, Urbanus proteus, pupa.
(Photographer: J. Castner, University of Florida)

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Bean leafroller, Urbanus proteus, adult; also called
longtailed skipper.
(Photographer: J. Capinera, University of Florida)

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Bean leafroller, Urbanus proteus, eggs.
(Photographer: L. Buss, University of Florida)

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Bean leafroller, Urbanus proteus, larva.
(Photographer: J. Capinera, University of Florida)

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