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How to Manage Pests

Pests in Gardens and Landscapes

Lycaenid pod borers

Lycaenid pod borer larvae are grublike caterpillars. Adults are tiny butterflies.

Damage

Lycaenid pod borers hollow and eat seeds. Holes in pods are common.

Solutions

Handpick or snip caterpillars with shears. Natural enemies normally keep populations under control. Trichogramma parasites and Hyposoter exiguae may attack caterpillar eggs and larvae. There are also several general predators to keep populations under control. Bacillus thuringiensis and spinosad are effective against smaller larvae. Discing or rototilling after harvest can help reduce populations.

Lycaenid pod borer larva
Lycaenid pod borer larva

Holes bored into bean pod
Holes bored into bean pod

Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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