Also known as melon aphids, black aphids are oval-shaped tiny insects that multiply quickly and could potentially harm your plants as they suck the sap out of them.
As a gardener, nothing is more frustrating than finding your beautiful plants ravaged by tiny pests. And black aphids are some of the most annoying garden invaders out there. These minuscule insects may be small, but they can quickly multiply and wreak havoc on your vegetables, flowers, and other plants if left unchecked.
So what exactly are black aphids and how can you control them? Let’s take a closer look at identifying and getting rid of these sap-sucking menaces
What Are Black Aphids?
Black aphids, also known as blackfly or black bean aphids, are soft-bodied insects in the Aphididae family There are several species of black aphids, but some of the most common include Aphis fabae, Aphis craccivora, and Aphis gossypii. They are typically dark brown or black in color and oval-shaped, with two tube-like structures called cornicles projecting from their hindquarters
Adults reach 1-3 millimeters in length, and can be either winged or wingless. Nymphs look similar to adults but smaller. As piercing-sucking insects, black aphids use their straw-like mouthparts to extract sap from plant tissue. This can lead to curling, yellowing, and even death of leaves and shoots.
The Destructive Nature of Black Aphids
Aphids in general are destructive for a number of reasons:
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They are rapid reproducers. Females can give birth to live young multiple times without mating. This allows their populations to explode exponentially in a short period.
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They extract sap, depriving plants of nutrients and leading to stunting, wilting, and other issues.
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Their sugary waste product called honeydew leads to fungal growths like sooty mold.
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They spread devastating plant viruses as they feed. Over 30 plant viruses are associated with black aphids alone.
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Some species attack roots as well as leaves and stems, further weakening plants.
So even a minor aphid infestation can turn into a major problem in your garden if not addressed swiftly. Keep an eye out for these signs of black aphids:
- Curled, yellowing leaves
- Stunted plant growth
- Honeydew residue on leaves
- Sooty mold fungal growth
- White cast skins where aphids have shed
- Ants climbing plants to feed on honeydew
How to Control Black Aphids Naturally
Fortunately, there are a number of organic methods you can use to get rid of black aphids and limit the damage they cause:
Encourage Natural Predators
Certain beneficial garden critters prey on black aphids, including ladybugs, hoverfly larvae, lacewings, and tiny parasitoid wasps. Boost their numbers by planting pollen and nectar sources like flowers and herbs. You can also purchase some predators to release, like ladybugs.
Blast with Water
A strong spray of water can dislodge aphids from plants. Focus on the undersides of leaves and other spots they like to hide. Be sure to get good coverage.
Use Horticultural Oils and Insecticidal Soaps
These organic control products smother and kill aphids on contact while being safe for plants. Apply liberally and repeat applications as needed.
Try Neem Oil or Pyrethrins
Extracted from the neem tree, neem oil disrupts the growth and reproduction of insects. Pyrethrins are botanical insecticides derived from chrysanthemum flowers. Both can be used against black aphids.
Apply Diatomaceous Earth
The razor-sharp edges of this powder scratch the waxy coating on insects, leading to dehydration. Dust it over affected plants, especially during early stages of infestation. Reapply after rain or watering.
Use Sticky Traps
Yellow and blue sticky traps can capture winged black aphids as they disperse, reducing populations. Place near plants under attack.
When to Use Pesticides for Black Aphids
For heavy infestations, pesticide sprays like insecticidal soap or neem oil may not be enough. In these cases, you may need to turn to synthetic insecticides as a last resort. Always follow label directions exactly. Some options include:
- Pyrethroids like cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin
- Organophosphates like malathion and acephate
- Carbamates like carbaryl
- Neonicotinoids like imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiamethoxam
Avoid spraying pesticides during bloom time to protect pollinators. Also be aware that many species of aphids have developed resistance to different insecticide classes, so products may vary in effectiveness. Always rotate between insecticide types and combine chemical control with other methods for best results and to prevent resistance.
Preventing Black Aphids from Returning
While dealing with an active aphid infestation is vital, prevention is also key to protect your garden in the future:
- Use row covers as physical barriers when starting seedlings or transplanting
- Weed regularly to remove alternate hosts
- Avoid excess nitrogen fertilization that produces succulent, aphid-attractive growth
- Rinse off plants with water before bringing indoors
- Apply diatomaceous earth around bases of plants
- Use reflective mulches early in the season to deter aphids
- Destroy heavily infested plants and prune out areas where aphids congregate
Keeping a close watch and taking action at the first sign of black aphids is always wise. Be vigilant and don’t let your precious plants become all-you-can-eat bug buffets! Implementing integrated pest management using multiple tactics will help ensure your garden’s health and productivity.
Aphid Damage & Symptoms
As previously mentioned, aphids feed on the plant’s sap, which weakens them and reduces their growth. But aphids can also carry and transmit viruses from plant to plant, causing leaves or stems to curl up or distort their shape. This virus infects many common crops, such as spinach, tomato, lettuce, broad beans, and celery.
Aphid colonies usually live underneath leaves, growth points, or on flowers. As they suck the sap, they release honeydew which makes the leaves develop a shiny glaze.
Although ants do not feed on aphids, they collect the secreted honeydew.
In damp conditions, sooty mold can grow on the honeydew; besides being unsightly, it can gradually deprive the leaf of light and eventually kill the plant.
These tiny insects shed their skins as they grow. Their skins gather on leaves surfaces below where they’re feeding and form a speck of whitish dust; this is often the first sign of an aphid infestation.
What are Black Aphids?
Black aphids (Aphis fabae) are tiny insects that measure up to ⅛ inches long. These little dark insects cling, pierce and suck the sap out of plants.
They have been nicknamed blackfly, black bean aphids, and beet leaf aphids.
Their favorite plants to feed on are runner beans, nasturtiums, chamomile, viburnum plants, thistles, celery, and poppies.
Aphids are tiny, so they often go unnoticed at first. But besides spotting them on our plant’s leaves, you may also spot them by the honeydew residue they leave behind on the leaves. They feed on plant sap using their needle-like mouths.
Some aphid species (including black aphids) do not need a partner to reproduce, as they can quickly increase their population; this is why few aphids can become hundreds of aphids in less than a week.
Female aphids give birth to other females (nymphs) who are born pregnant. Given their incredible adaptation, this pest’s chances of exponential growth in a short time are incredibly high.
Adult aphids generally have pear-shaped bodies with long antennas, yet they are often invisible to the naked eye.
Young aphids (nymphs) resemble adults, but most species have two cornicles (short tubes that project from their posterior).
Adult aphids are usually wingless. However, they can grow wings when their population becomes crowded. When their food sources have been diminished, they can travel to new plants, reproduce, and start a new colony.
Aphids generally feed on a wide variety of plants. However, some species are specific to certain plants, like bean aphids, potato aphids, melon aphids, woolly apple aphids, cabbage aphids, and green peach aphids.
Foolproof Aphid Control and Prevention
FAQ
How do you get rid of black aphids?
Remove aphids by hand by spraying water or knocking them into a bucket of soapy water. Control with natural or organic sprays like a soap-and-water mixture, neem oil, or essential oils. Employ natural predators like ladybugs, green lacewings, and birds.
Are black aphids harmful?
Are Aphids Dangerous? To humans, no, not directly. But aphids can be quite damaging to plants, such as crops, which means they can destroy our farms, trees, and gardens if left unchecked.
Does washing up liquid kill black aphids?
Now, the standard gardening remedy to aphids (whatever their colour) is to mix a squirt or two of washing up liquid up in a spray bottle full of water (no more than about a teaspoon a litre) and spray the aphids with it. This suffocates the little blighters.