Black Bean Aphid

Scientific group or name: Aphis fabae species group

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Overview

Black bean aphid forms dense, dark colonies on young shoots, stems and leaf undersides.

Host plants

Beans, beet, ornamentals and many other herbaceous hosts.

Identification

Adults are dark olive to black and often occur with pale cast skins and sticky honeydew. Species-group confirmation may require specialist examination.

Damage and symptoms

Colonies stunt and distort young growth, contaminate plants with honeydew and can transmit viruses.

Lifecycle and favourable conditions

Soft, nitrogen-rich growth and warm weather favour rapid colony expansion.

Monitoring

Check growing points and stem tips from spring onwards. Watch for ants, honeydew and winged adults.

Management

Remove heavily colonised tips where appropriate, manage weeds and excess nitrogen and protect natural enemies.

Biological control and natural enemies

Aphidius species, Aphelinus, Aphidoletes, lacewings and ladybirds may all contribute.

Biological control should be selected only after the pest has been identified and the crop, temperature, growing environment and pest pressure have been considered.

Related BioWiki pages

Aphids · Aphelinus abdominalis

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This page provides general integrated pest-management information. Identification and control decisions should be confirmed for the crop and local situation.