Aphis fabae commonly called the Bean Aphid or Black Bean Aphid, is a biotic plant disease characterized as the infestation of the host plant by the A. fabae species of Aphid which can infect many types of vegetables but primarily feed on beans and beats.
A. fabae itself is a piercing-sucking type insect that feeds on the juices of a plant. The most common symptoms of a plant infected with A. fabae will be the spotting of A. fabae themselves on the undersides of leaves and on new growth where they tend to form dense colonies. This species of Aphid is characterized as dark green to black, soft-bodied insect with a dark-colored head, antennae, and cornicles. The legs are black at the base and tips.
Common secondary symptoms that can occur as a result of heavy feeding distorted shoot tips and leaves, yellowing and wilting leaves, and other forms of stress. Outside secondary symptoms can also include nearby infestations of ants such as Solenopsis invicta (Imported Red Fire Ant aka RIFA) who feed on the large amounts of honeydew created by A. fabae as well as the infection of other biotic diseases such as bacteria and viruses such as Capnodium citri (sooty mold).
Outside, A. fabae overwinter as eggs in wooded areas. In spring eggs hatch with several generations being produced without mating. They will then feed on plants until the fall where they will mate and deposit eggs that overwinter. On indoor plants they can appear at any time of year through transmission.
The best removal process is to avoid infection of A. fabae in the first place through the use of Low Nitrogen or slow-release fertilizers. However once infected hand wiping and pruning localized infestation and non-chemically removing early infestations, while heavy infestations can be controlled by using a strong stream of water and encouraging predator insects. It is important that when using these non-chemical methods to ensure that nearby colonies of honeydew feeding ants are also managed as they will attempt to protect A. fabae. If an infestation is too heavy and chemical means are required, the following EPA approved pesticides can be used:
Hi-Yield Dormant Spray [EPA registration number: 7401-428]
R-T-U Year-Round Spray Oil [EPA registration number: 6218-78]
Safer Brand BioNEEM Multi-Purpose Insecticide and Repellent Concentrate [Organic] [EPA registration number: 70051-6-42697]
Safer Brand Garden Defense Multi-Purpose Spray Concentrate [Organic] [EPA registration number: 70051-2-42697]
Safer Brand Insect Killing Soap Concentrate II [Organic] [EPA registration number: 42697-60]
References
Washington State University Extension Office - Bean Aphids https://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/fact-sheet/viburnum-bean-aphids/
University of California Agriculture And Natural Resources - Black Bean Aphid https://ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/celery/black-bean-aphid/
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services - Taxon https://acir.aphis.usda.gov/s/cird-taxon/a0ut0000002iQStAAM/aphis-fabae
University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Pest Profile https://entomology.unl.edu/scilit/Jeff%20Coco%20Bean%20Aphid.pdf
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