Abstract: Proper identification of a pest (being it an invasive or native in an area) is a cornerstone to sustainable pest management. Of recent (July to December 2015) we identified a phytophagus species of coccinellidae feeding on lower epidermis and the mesophyll cells in maize leaves, leaving the upper epidermis and the veins intact. In the survey, three maize fields of approximately an acre were selected based on the presence of the insect pest; in a cross-section pattern 100 plants were examined for the presence of the pest and signs of plant damages by the insect pest. Data on insects counts (larva, pupa and adult) were recorded right in the field, plant damages were scored as a percent of damaged against undamaged plants. 50Adult were collected to TPRI- Insect collection reference centre for identification. Data on insect counts and damage scores were analyzed using Genstat software. The identification results showed that, the pest was Tef Epilachna or Tef Ladybird Beetle, Chnootriba similis,Thunberg; (Coleopteran:Coccinellidae), formally Epilachna similis, Thunberg; (Coleopteran:Coccinellidae). The mean percent plant damages in all the three fields were scored to field I = 37%, field II = 41% and field III = 34%. The highest mean insect counts obtained in every 100 plants were larva=512, pupa= 308 and adult= 702. This information therefore serves as a first record of the presence of the pest in the area against maize (Zea mays. L).