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Bean aphid

Aphis fabae

35 host plants

Last updated

Data Coverage 1 of 6 dimensions
Host Plants
GDD Threshold
Peak Activity
Damage Severity
Monitoring
Regional Notes

Dense colonies of black bean aphids cluster on stem tips, flower buds, and leaf undersides of beans, peas, and other legumes starting in late spring. You will notice curled, distorted new growth and sticky honeydew deposits that attract ants. Sooty mold develops on honeydew-coated surfaces. Populations explode during the cool, moist conditions that characterize Western Washington's spring growing season.

Encourage lady beetles, hoverfly larvae, and parasitic wasps that naturally suppress aphid populations. A strong water spray dislodges colonies from sturdy plants. Reflective mulch around susceptible crops confuses incoming winged aphids. Reserve insecticidal soap for severe infestations that natural enemies cannot control, targeting colonies directly.

Quick Reference

Host Plants
35

Cultural Controls

  • biological control Many parasites and predators attack aphid.
  • Monitor the proportion of aphid mummies to unparasitized adults and the number of predators such as lady beetles.
  • If the biocontrol agents appear to be gaining control, avoid sprays which would disrupt this system.
  • Most products available for aphid control are highly disruptive of natural enemies.
  • Management-cultural control Aphid populations tend to be higher in plants that are fertilized liberally with nitrogen.
  • Prune out suckers...

Host Plants (35)

Ceratonia siliqua Carob St. John's Bread Locust, Bean Dermatophyllum secundiflorum Mescal Bean Texas Mountain Laurel, Frijolito Sophora secundiflora Mescal Bean Texas Mountain Laurel, Frijolito Viburnum awabuki Sweet Viburnum Viburnum bodnantense Viburnum, bodnantense Viburnum bracteatum Bracted Viburnum, Limerock Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum burkwoodii Burkwood Viburnum Viburnum carlesii Koreanspice Viburnum Viburnum cassinoides Witherod Viburnum, Northern Wild Raisin Viburnum cinnamomifolium Cinnamon Viburnum Viburnum davidii David's Viburnum Viburnum dentatum Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum dilatatum Linden, Viburnum, Linden, Arrowwood Viburnum edule Mooseberry Highbush Cranberry, Moosewood Viburnum, Squashberry Viburnum ellipticum Oregon Viburnum, Western Wayfaring Tree Viburnum farreri Fragrant Viburnum Viburnum juddii Judd Viburnum Viburnum lantana Wayfaringtree Viburnum Viburnum lantanoides Hobblebush Viburnum lentago Nannyberry Sheepberry Viburnum nudum Possumhaw Smooth Witherod Northern Wild Raisin Viburnum opulus var. americanum American Cranberrybush Viburnum Viburnum opulus var. opulus European Cranberrybush Viburnum, Guelder-rose Viburnum opulus var. sargentii Sargent Viburnum Viburnum plicatum var. plicatum Japanese Snowball Viburnum Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum Doublefile Viburnum Viburnum pragense Prague Viburnum Viburnum prunifolium Blackhaw Viburnum Viburnum rafinesquianum Downy Arrowwood Viburnum, Rafinesque Viburnum Viburnum rhytidophyllum Leatherleaf Viburnum Viburnum rufidulum Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum, Southern Blackhaw Viburnum setigerum Tea Viburnum Viburnum suspensum Sandankwa Viburnum, Sandanqua Viburnum Viburnum tinus Laurustinus Viburnum trilobum American Cranberrybush Viburnum