Pest identification
What's eating my 'borlotto' bean?
Black bean aphid (Aphis fabae)
Signs: Black clusters on shoot tips and leaf undersides; honeydew and sooty mould; pods may be distorted.
Control: Pinch out infested growing tips. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Attract natural predators by growing companion flowers such as phacelia or marigolds nearby.
Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Fine pale stippling on upper leaf surface; webbing beneath in heavy infestations; foliage bronzes and drops.
Control: Maintain humidity with regular watering. Spray with water jets to dislodge mites. Use predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) in greenhouses; neem oil outdoors.
Slugs and snails (Arion spp., Cornu aspersum)
Signs: Seedlings severed or cotyledons consumed; irregular holes in older leaves with slime trails present.
Control: Apply iron phosphate bait. Hand-pick after dark. Surround rows with grit or sharp sand as a deterrent.
Keep 'borlotto' bean pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
'Borlotto' Bean pests — FAQ
What is eating my 'borlotto' bean?
'Borlotto' beans share typical French bean pests: black bean aphids colonize tips, spider mites thrive in hot dry spells, and slugs attack seedlings. Mexican bean beetle can skeletonize leaves in warm regions. Birds may peck at seeds. Consistent moisture and early aphid control protect the best yields.
How do I get rid of black bean aphid (aphis fabae) on 'borlotto' bean?
Black clusters on shoot tips and leaf undersides; honeydew and sooty mould; pods may be distorted. Pinch out infested growing tips. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Attract natural predators by growing companion flowers such as phacelia or marigolds nearby.
How do I get rid of two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae) on 'borlotto' bean?
Fine pale stippling on upper leaf surface; webbing beneath in heavy infestations; foliage bronzes and drops. Maintain humidity with regular watering. Spray with water jets to dislodge mites. Use predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) in greenhouses; neem oil outdoors.
How do I get rid of slugs and snails (arion spp., cornu aspersum) on 'borlotto' bean?
Seedlings severed or cotyledons consumed; irregular holes in older leaves with slime trails present. Apply iron phosphate bait. Hand-pick after dark. Surround rows with grit or sharp sand as a deterrent.