Black bean aphid (generally known as blackfly) is a common aphid that attacks beans, sugar beets, sunflowers and many other plants. You can recognise it by its distinctive rounded, black body shape, clustered in colonies on young shoots and the undersides of leaves.

 Damaging effects:

• Sucks the plant sap, weakening the plant 
• Produces honeydew, which encourages sooty mould
• Can transmit viruses that impair plant growth

Natural pest control:

✔ Start plants very early – for broad beans (Vicia faba) in particular, sowing very early (February onwards) can help as it allows the plants to build sufficient strength before the blackfly appear in large numbers 
✔ Encourage beneficial insects – ladybirds, lacewing larvae and parasitoid wasps are natural predators
✔ Use plant infusions – nettle or garlic teas have a deterrent effect 
✔ Early intervention – remove infested shoots promptly 
✔ Used mixed cropping – plant beans alongside dill or marigolds to reduce infestation

Blackfly is a common garden pest – but one that’s easy to keep in check with natural methods. Growing your crops at the right time and encouraging beneficial insects are the best prevention strategies!