Cowpea Aphid
Aphis craccivora
Adults are up to 2mm long, may have wings, and are shiny black. Nymphs are dull grey, but all stages have white and black legs. They form dense colonies on the growing points of a single plant before moving on to other surrounding plants.
Check through all crop stages especially during flowering.
Heavy infestations deform leaves, growing points and stunt plants. Very dense colonies may cause visible wilting and severe yield loss. Honeydew and black sooty mould can occur with high numbers. This aphid can vector many plant virus diseases.
Aphid diseases, aphid parasites, ladybird beetles, hoverflies and lacewings.
SARDI