BeneficialBlack bean aphid
Hoverflies for black bean aphid
Syrphidae · wild predator (larvae)
Against black bean aphid
The RHS names hoverflies among the natural enemies to encourage against black bean aphid, alongside ladybirds, ground beetles, parasitoid wasps and earwigs, and says that if you wait a while they often give the control. As with all aphid predators they follow the aphids rather than prevent them, so tolerate early colonies on beans and nasturtiums, pinch out the worst tips, and keep open flowers nearby to feed the adults.
RateWild — attract adults with open flowers
TimingLarvae arrive after the spring build-up; the aphid is active April–August
macro · hoverflies on black bean aphid
The pestBlack bean aphidAphis fabaeDense black colonies on shoot tips, curled leaves, honeydew, poor pod setFull pest profile →Before you act
The adults are the striped, hovering flies on open flowers; the larvae are legless, slug-like maggots that eat aphids inside the colony. How to recognise it, what it is confused with and how to keep it around are on the full Hoverflies profile.
Other controls for black bean aphid
- LadybugsWild predator · Nothing to release — conserve the ones already there
- Aphidoletes aphidimyzaPredatory midge · 1–10 /m² per release, weekly
- Chrysoperla carneaGreen lacewing larvae · 2–20 /m² per release, weekly
- Aphidius colemaniParasitoid wasp · 0.25–4 /m² per release, under glass only