What's eating my adzuki bean?

Adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) faces aphids, pod borers, and bean beetles in the garden, and the adzuki bean weevil in storage. Aphids are the most frequent garden pest, clustering on soft growth and weakening plants. The Mexican bean beetle and caterpillar pests cause defoliation; stored dry beans need airtight containers to prevent weevil losses.

Colonies on leaf undersides and stem tips; leaf curl, honeydew deposits, sooty mould; can vector mosaic viruses Knock off with a water jet; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; plant marigold companion rows to attract predators

Skeletonised leaf surfaces where adults and larvae feed between veins; severe pressure weakens plants before podding Hand-pick adults and yellow egg masses from leaf undersides; apply pyrethrin if widespread; row covers protect seedlings

Caterpillars bore into pods, consuming developing seeds and leaving frass; bite marks on leaves signal presence Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) at first flower; use pheromone traps; hand-remove caterpillars if numbers are low

Post-harvest pest: larvae bore into stored dry beans, leaving round exit holes and dusty frass; can destroy entire stores Dry beans thoroughly before storage; seal in airtight containers or freeze for 4 days to kill eggs; avoid storing near infested grain