The banana fruit caterpillar, Tiracola plagiata Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Hadeninae) is reported for the first time attacking the dolichos bean, Lablab purpureus L. The caterpillars feed on leaves as well as pods and frequently cause severe losses (68–72%). This is a new insect pest observed on dolichos bean plants in the last three years. Therefore, we studied basic biological and some quantifiable parameters associated with the infestation of T. plagiata on bean plants, so that feasible management strategies against this pest can be formulated. In the laboratory, T. plagiata took 81.67±4.41 days to complete its life cycle. Adults were positively phototrophic; therefore light traps could be an effective control option for this pest.