Insect
Black Bean Aphid
Dense colonies of shiny black aphids 2 mm long that mass on the tips of broad beans, spinach, and related plants, causing shoot distortion and sticky honeydew.
Symptoms to Look For
- Dense black colonies clustered on shoot tips and young leaves
- Shoot tips curling and distorting under the weight of colonies
- Sticky honeydew on leaves below the infestation, sometimes developing sooty mould
Affected Plants
BeanSpinachBeetrootChardNasturtium
Organic Solutions
Pinch out infested tips
Remove the top 5 cm of broad bean shoots as soon as colonies appear - this eliminates most of the population and stops further colonisation.
Insecticidal soap spray
Spray insecticidal soap solution directly onto colonies, covering all surfaces thoroughly; repeat every 5 - 7 days as needed.
Encourage ladybirds
Avoid pesticides to allow ladybirds, lacewings, and parasitic wasps to build up and consume colonies naturally.
Prevention
- Pinch out broad bean tips as soon as pods begin to set to remove the tender growth aphids prefer
- Plant nasturtiums as a trap crop near bean rows to draw aphids away from the main crop
Garden, by Willowbottom recommends only organic, wildlife-friendly solutions. No synthetic pesticides, no harmful chemicals - ever.