Illinois Field Crop Applicators Practice Test

What type of beetle is identified as having a black triangle on its neck?

1. Adult Japanese beetle

2. Adult bean leaf beetle

3. European corn borer

4. Cutworm larvae

The correct answer is: Adult bean leaf beetle

The bean leaf beetle is characterized by its distinctive appearance, which includes a black triangle on its neck region. This beetle is a significant pest in soybean crops, and its identification is crucial for effective pest management. The black triangle is a notable feature that helps differentiate the bean leaf beetle from other beetles. Understanding this identification feature allows crop applicators to monitor and manage this pest more effectively, as it plays a role in the damage it inflicts on farmers' crops. The other choices, while they may resemble beetles in certain life stages, lack the specific black triangle marking that is definitive for the bean leaf beetle, making it important to recognize this identifier for effective identification and management of the pest.