Definition

Noun * A specific insect species: Epilachna varivestis is the scientific name for a beetle, commonly known as the Mexican bean beetle. It is characterized as a pest that was introduced to the United States from Mexico and primarily feeds on the leaves of bean plants.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The farmer identified Epilachna varivestis as the cause of the damage to his crop.
  • Epilachna varivestis can severely defoliate bean plants if left unchecked.
  • A study focused on the life cycle of Epilachna varivestis.

Advanced Usage

• The term is used almost exclusively in formal, scientific, or agricultural contexts. In common language, the insect is referred to by its common name.
• In taxonomic writing, the genus name () is capitalized and the species epithet () is in lowercase; the full binomial name is typically italicized.

Variants and Related Words

• Mexican bean beetle (n): The common name for .
• Lady beetle / Ladybug (n): belongs to the lady beetle family (Coccinellidae), but unlike most beneficial ladybugs, it is a herbivorous pest.
• Bean leaf beetle (n): A different pest species (); this is a related but distinct insect from .

Synonyms

• Mexican bean beetle

Different Meanings

This term has only one specific meaning as a proper noun referring to a distinct biological species. It does not have general or figurative meanings.

Noun

1. introduced into the United States from Mexico; feeds on the foliage of the bean plant