A new pest, the black bean bug (BBB), Brachyplatys subaeneus (Westwood), has been detected in South Florida following the initial suspicion of a post on iNaturalist, in September 2020, by Adam Pitcher (DPM graduate student) and Dr. Amanda Hodges.

An inspector of the Florida agricultural agency (FDACS-DPI, CAPS), Phellicia Perez, later confirmed the suspicion to be the black bean bug.

The BBB is initially reported from Asia, where it is said to cause minimal damage to plants. Although the bug is attracted to several plants, it mostly prefers legumes.

Please check out the following FDACS Pest Alert article for more information about the BBB, .

If you think that you have seen the BBB or something that looks like it, please reach out to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) for help with identification.

The photos used in the Featured Image are credited to Jade S. Allen, FDACS-DPI.

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