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Black Bean Aphid

Practical biological control, IPM and environmental pest-management knowledge.


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Black Bean Aphid

Overview

Black bean aphid (Aphis fabae) is a dark-coloured aphid species associated with beans, ornamentals, weeds and several horticultural crops.

It can form dense colonies on soft growth and may cause distortion, honeydew and reduced vigour.

Symptoms

  • Dense dark aphid colonies
  • Distorted young growth
  • Sticky honeydew
  • Sooty mould
  • Reduced plant vigour
  • Ant activity around colonies

Host relevance

Important on:

  • beans
  • beet
  • ornamentals
  • nursery stock
  • weeds acting as reservoirs

IPM relevance

Black bean aphid can build rapidly where soft growth and ant protection allow colonies to expand.

Useful focus areas:

  • early scouting
  • weed host management
  • soft growth monitoring
  • preservation of predators and parasitoids

Biological control relevance

Useful natural enemies may include:

Related pages