AVRDC International Cooperators'
Fact Sheet

Mungbean Insect Pests
 

Black Legume Aphid
Aphis craccivora 


Damage symptoms

Growing points of the plant are withered, brown, or dead. Pod and seed production is extremely low. Plants become stunted and deformed when populations are high. Leaves crinkle or exhibit a yellowish, mottled, or mosaic coloration. Leaves are sticky and have patches of black sooty mold growing on them.


Insect characteristics

Piercing-sucking mouthparts. Both winged and wingless forms may be present, living and feeding together. The soft-bodied, rather pear-shaped adults are shiny black and the young appear lightly dusted with wax. Two distinct tubes arise from the sides of the end of their bodies.

Damage
Damage 


Where to look

Select yellowish plants with wilted growing tips. Inspect areas of new growth for the presence of aphid colonies, or where they seem to concentrate. Look for ants on the plants.


Technical information

The colonies are often attended by ants that feed on aphid secretions. Continual generations occur and populations increase very rapidly under ideal conditions. In some locales, these insects are more prevalent in cool weather. They are vectors of about 30 plant viruses, especially leaf crinkle virus and cucumber mosaic virus. Other plant hosts include sweetpotato, pea, cucurbits, and groundnuts.


Control

To be added later.

Last updated: 2001. 
Information from: Field Guide: Insect Pests of Selected Vegetables in Tropical and Subtropical Asia. 1995. B.L. Parker, N.S. Talekar and M. Skinner. Publication 94-427.

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