Black Bean Aphid

Gardens, agricultural fields, and greenhouses; typically found on the stems and undersides of leaves of a wide variety of plants.

Herbivorous; they use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on the nutrient-rich sap (phloem) of host plants.

They often form dense colonies on succulent new growth. They reproduce rapidly, often via parthenogenesis (asexual reproduction). They secrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can attract ants and lead to sooty mold growth.

They are significant agricultural and garden pests that can cause stunted growth, leaf curling, and yellowing. They can also transmit plant viruses. They benefit the ecosystem by serving as a primary food source for many beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.