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How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

| More pests | More crops | About guidelines |

Purplish black adults and reddish purple nymphs of the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae.

Carrot

Bean Aphid

Scientific Name: Aphis fabae

(Reviewed 1/09, updated 1/09)

In this Guideline:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

Bean aphid is a dark, olive-green to black colored aphid. It is most easily confused with the cowpea aphid. Bean aphid has a dull, mattelike appearance while the cowpea aphid is shiny. The cauda (tail-like structure) of the bean aphid has more hairs than that of the cowpea aphid and thus appears bushy. Except for the presence of wings, the winged form of the bean aphid is similar in appearance to the wingless forms.

DAMAGE

Bean aphid may transmit celery mosaic but little is known in this regard. Bean aphid only occasionally builds up on carrots and little is known regarding economic thresholds and damage.

MANAGEMENT

Biological Control
Bean aphids are attacked by a variety of common aphid predators and parasites. Lady beetles, green lacewing larvae, and syrphid fly larvae are frequently found associated with aphid colonies. Bean aphid is also attacked by a very prolific parasitic wasp, Lysiphlebus testaceipes. Parasitized aphids become bloated and their bodies turn tan in color. Bean aphid is also attacked by a fungus disease that leaves the aphid body flattened and with the appearance of being glued to the leaf.

Cultural Control
No cultural control strategies are presently available for managing bean aphids in carrots.

Organically Acceptable Methods
Biological and cultural controls are acceptable for use on organically grown produce.

Monitoring and Treatment Decisions
Monitor fields for aphids weekly during spring and summer by examining the upper and lower surfaces of leaves. Also, look for evidence of predators and parasites and their impact on aphid populations. Treatment is rarely required. No thresholds have been established for the treatment of bean aphid on carrots. Chemical treatments are not effective in preventing virus transmission and this aphid rarely causes economic damage.

Common name Amount/Acre** R.E.I.+ P.H.I.+
(trade name)   (hours) (days)
When choosing a pesticide, consider information relating to natural enemies and honey bees as well as the environmental impact. Not all registered pesticides are listed. Always read label of product being used.
 
A. IMIDACLOPRID
  (Provado) 1.6F 3.5 fl oz 12 7
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 4A
  COMMENTS: Thorough, uniform coverage is important for good control. Use allowed under a supplemental label.
 
B. DIAZINON* 50 WP 1 lb 24 14
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B
  COMMENTS: Avoid drift and tailwater runoff into surface waters.
 
** See label for dilution rates.
+ Restricted entry interval (R.E.I.) is the number of hours (unless otherwise noted) from treatment until the treated area can be safely entered without protective clothing. Preharvest interval (P.H.I.) is the number of days from treatment to harvest. In some cases the REI exceeds the PHI. The longer of two intervals is the minimum time that must elapse before harvest.
1 Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action Group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action Group number more than twice per season to help prevent the development of resistance. For example, the organophosphates have a Group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B Group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a Group number other than 1B. Mode of action Group numbers are assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.
* Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.

[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Carrot
UC ANR Publication 3438
Insects
E. T. Natwick, UC Cooperative Extension, Imperial County
D. R. Haviland, UC IPM Program, Kern County
C. G. Summers, Entomology, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
Acknowledgment for contributions to Diseases:
W. E. Chaney, UC Cooperative Extension, Monterey County

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Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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