Obereopsis brevis (Swedenbord)
Taxonomic position
Insecta: Coleoptera: Polyphaga: Chrysomeloidea: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae
Common name
Girdle beetle
Habitat / Crop(s) damaged
Cultivated hosts include soyabean, sunflower, and mung bean. Alternate host plants are Eclipta alba, Lagascea mollis, Acalypha indica, Euphorbia hirta, E. glomifera, Phyllanthus maderaspatensis, Hibiscus micranthus and Sesbania aculeata.

The beetle makes two girdles on the stem or sometimes on petiole. Eggs are laid between the girdles. A tunnel is formed by the larva inside the stem as it moves down the plant. The top portion of plant (above the girdles) dries up. The pest starts girdling and laying eggs 20-25 days after sowing of soyabean crop.
Pest status
A major pest of soyabean.
Images
Adult Adult

 1. The damaged soyabean plant
 2. Larva of Girdle beetle inside stem
egg 3. Egg inside stem - between the girdles
larva 4. Larva of Girdle beetle inside stem
Adult 5. Girdle beetle - adult
Credits
Photos (1-5) and fact sheet contributed by:

Dr. Prakash Kumar, Deputy Director, (Agronomy)-Research Wing,
Government of Rajasthan, Office of the Project Director (Agronomy),
CAD Chambal Agriculture Research Station, Nanta Farm,
Kota, Rajasthan (India).