what's eating my beans?

[peacechief]

Does anyone have experience with bean (bush and pole, so far especially bush) pests? There's something eating my beans and I can't figure out what/what to do about it. I've seen spiders and little flies on them, but don't think they're the problem. I've also seen some sort of insect that looks remotely like a ladybug, but more rectangular than round, and more orange/copper than red, with, I believe, 6 black spots down the back. Here are some pictures, for what they're worth, my camera just wouldn't focus on it:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52213598@N03/4811660017/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52213598@N03/4811660195/ (he's right in the middle)

I assume this must be the problem bug, as I see them regularly, but they are never there in great numbers (lately I've been finding maybe 3-5 when I go check), so it seems strange that I should be seeing so few of them for the amount of damage there is (all of the bush beans have significant holes on multiple leaves).

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Any tips on how to get rid of them? I check a couple times a day and pick off the ones I find, I tried making a tomato leaf spray and sprayed the tops and bottoms of all the plants yesterday - though it rained last night and washed it all off - but there were more on the plants this morning. I just sprayed some dishsoap/water on them this morning. Not sure what else to try but I really don't want to lose the beans!

Thanks!

[FarmerCathy]

I'm not sure what kind of bugs those are, they are a little hard to make out.

Is it like one of these?

This is the bean leaf beetle.

Here is the info on them.

[FarmerCathy]

If this is what it is my book "The Gardener's Guide to Growing Organic Food" suggests to:

• handpick and destroy beetles, larvae, and egg clusters
• use row covers
• a reflective mulch such as aluminum foil will repel them
• a spray of crushed turnips with corn oil
• spray cedar sawdust or chips boiled in water (maybe some cedar oil diluted by water?)

In the Fall:

• pull up infested plants as soon as the main harvest is over but while pests are still present. Stuff vines in a plastic bag, tie, and leave in the sun for 10-14 days to kill the bugs.
• fall cultivation
• early planting
• encourage insect-eating birds
• planting garlic, marigolds, nasturtium, petunia, potatoes, rosemary, and savory nearby as companion plants

Let me know if this is what it is and if it helps.