Aphis fabae species-group (Black Bean aphid): identification, images, ecology, control

In spring Aphis fabae curl the leaves of common spindle (Euonymus europaeus, see first picture below). The adult aptera of Aphis fabae (see second and third picture below) is dark brown to matt black, sometimes with a distinct greenish hue. Their antennae usually have segments III-IV and the base of segment V quite pale (cf. Aphis rumicis, which has the antennae dark from the middle of segment III to the apex). The terminal process is 1.7-3.5 times the length of the base of antennal segment VI. The Aphis fabae aptera has a variable abdominal sclerotic pattern - which is confined to abdominal tergites 6-8 in smaller apterae, but broken bands are present in larger ones (cf. Aphis gossypii, which has no dark sclerotized markings on the dorsum). Marginal tubercles are protuberant but small. The longest femoral and tibial hairs are longer than the least width of the tibia. Their siphunculi and cauda are dark (cf. Aphis gossypii, which has the cauda usually paler than the siphunculi). The siphunculi are 0.70-1.81 times the length of the cauda which bears 11-24 hairs. The body length of Aphis fabae adult apterae is 1.2-2.9 mm.

Note: The term Aphis fabae species group is sometimes used to collectively describe Aphis fabae sensu stricto (=Aphis fabae fabae), its subspecies, and related species.

Curled leaf pseudogalls caused by Aphis fabae (black bean aphid) on Euonymus europaeus (common spindle) at Woods Mill, West Sussex on 5/5/18 at 09.53 h.

The black bean aphid immatures (see first picture below), especially the immature alatae, often have discrete white wax spots, as do sometimes the adults. The alate Aphis fabae (see second picture below) is similarly coloured to the aptera but has mostly dark antennae and fragmented sclerotic bands across the dorsum.

Aphis fabae (black bean aphid) immatures on Euonymus europaeus (common spindle) at Woods Mill, West Sussex, UK on 2/5/11 at 11.05 h.

The clarified slide mounts below are of adult viviparous female Aphis fabae : wingless, and winged.

Specimen Locality Label: Debrecen, Hungary, 15.vi.2004. Coll: A. Szito. (Image cropped, rotated & retouched.)

Micrographs of clarified mounted aptera & alate courtesy PaDIL. Copyright Rebecca Graham (Department of Agriculture, Western Australia) under Commons Attribution 3.0 Australian License.

The black bean aphid host alternates between spindle (Euonymus europaeus) as the primary host and many herbaceous plant species including crops as secondary hosts. It is particularly important as a pest for its direct feeding damage to broad beans (Vicia faba) and as a virus vector in sugar beet. Colonies are usually attended by ants. Sexual forms occur in autumn. Aphis fabae is found throughout the northern continents, and has been introduced to many tropical and subtropical countries where it may reproduce parthenogenetically all year round.

Biology & Ecology

Subspecies

In Europe Aphis fabae sensu lato comprises a complex of sibling-species or -subspecies which can only be distinguished by their choice of secondary host coupled with transfer experiments.

The nominate subspecies Aphis fabae fabae migrates to broad beans (Vicia faba, pictured below first). It also migrates to poppies (Papaver spp., pictured below second) as well as Chenopodium species and beet (Beta vulgaris). Aphis fabae fabae will not colonise thistle (Cirsium) nor black nightshade (Solanum).

Aphis fabae fabae (black bean aphid) colony on Vicia faba (broad bean) attended by Lasius niger (black garden ant) in Dorset on 19/5/08 at 16.02 h. Aphis fabae (black bean aphid) colony on Papaver somniferum (Opium Poppy) in Abbots Anne on 12/7/11 at 12.52 h.

Aphis fabae cirsiiacanthoidis migrates to thistle (Cirsium arvense, pictured below).

Aphis fabae cirsiiacanthoidis (black bean aphid) on Cirsium (thistle) at Platchett Wood, East Sussex, UK on 14/7/12 at 11.02 h.

Aphis fabae mordvilkoi migrates to burdock (Arctium, pictured below).

Aphis fabae mordvilko (black bean aphid) colony on Arctium minus (Lesser Burdock) at Abbots Wood, East Sussex, UK on 23/6/12 at 15.59 h.

Aphis evonymi (note the spelling) does not host alternate, but spends all year on spindle (Euonymus europaeus, see picture below). Some authorities have assigned this aphid full species status as Aphis evonymi, but other still treat it as a subspecies: Aphis fabae evonymi.

Aphis fabae evonymi (spindle aphid) colony on Euonymus europaeus (common spindle) in East Sussex, UK on 9/5/14 at 17.33 h.

A species which overwinters on spindle (Euonymus europaeus), and host alternates to black nightshade (Solanum nigrum), used to be called Aphis fabae solanella, but has now been assigned full species status as Aphis solanella (see picture below).

Aphis solanella (spindle-nightshade aphid) colony on Solanum nigrum (Lesser Burdock) in East Sussex, UK on 20/7/17 at 12.34 h.

Although one can tentatively assign Aphis fabae on the plants above to a particular subspecies, they also colonise a huge range of other plants (for example many umbellifers) which are not associated with a particular subspecies. Also some hosts, such as docks (Rumex spp), seem to be acceptable to all Aphis fabae subspecies.

Other aphids on same host:

Primary host

Blackman & Eastop list 7 species of aphid as feeding on common spindle (Euonymus europaeus) worldwide, and provide formal identification keys (Show World list). Baker (2015) lists all 7 as occurring in Britain (Show British list).

Secondary hosts

Blackman & Eastop list 20 species of aphid as feeding on broad bean (Vicia faba) worldwide, and provide formal identification keys (Show World list). Baker (2015) lists 17 of these as occurring in Britain: (Show British list).
Blackman & Eastop list 18 species of aphid as feeding on poppy (Papaver species) worldwide, and provide formal identification keys (Show World list).
Of those aphid species, Baker (2015) lists 15 as occurring in Britain (Show British list).
Blackman & Eastop list 23 species of aphid as feeding on lambs quarters, fat hen (Chenopodium album) worldwide, and provide formal identification keys (Show World list).
Of those aphid species, Baker (2015) lists 17 as occurring in Britain (Show British list).
Blackman & Eastop list 22 species of aphid as feeding on beets (Beta vulgaris) worldwide, and provide formal identification keys (Show World list). Of those aphid species, Baker (2015) lists 18 as occurring in Britain (Show British list).
Blackman & Eastop list about 55 species of aphids as feeding on Cirsium species worldwide, and provides formal identification keys for aphids on Cirsium
Of the 36 species on creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) worldwide (Show World list). Baker (2015) lists 21 as occurring in Britain (Show British list).
Blackman & Eastop list 27 species of aphid as feeding on burdocks (Arctium species) worldwide, and provide formal identification keys (Show World list).
Of those aphid species, Baker (2015) lists 16 as occurring in Britain: (Show British list).

Acknowledgements

Whilst we make every effort to ensure that identifications are correct, we cannot absolutely warranty their accuracy. We have mostly made identifications from high resolution photos of living specimens, along with host plant identity. In the great majority of cases, identifications have been confirmed by microscopic examination of preserved specimens. We have used the keys and species accounts of Blackman & Eastop (1994) and Blackman & Eastop (2006) supplemented with Blackman (1974), Stroyan (1977), Stroyan (1984), Blackman & Eastop (1984), Heie (1980-1995), Dixon & Thieme (2007) and Blackman (2010). We fully acknowledge these authors as the source for the (summarized) taxonomic information we have presented. Any errors in identification or information are ours alone, and we would be very grateful for any corrections. For assistance on the terms used for aphid morphology we suggest the figure provided by Blackman & Eastop (2006).

Useful weblinks

Identification requests
David Fenwick, 05 July 2013, Parasite 2
Had a bit of a different Aphis on Cirsium arvense, Creeping Thistle, from what I've seen of late. At least it's nicely marked.
Image copyright www.aphotofauna.com all rights reserved.

Bob, Influentialpoints:
Re aphid on Cirsium, it's almost certainly a colour form of Aphis fabae cirsiicanthoides. They can sometimes be dark green rather than black.

Ah that's interesting, thanks for that, I wasn't aware cirsicanthoides could be that colour.

David Fenwick, 4 August 2013, Aphis fabae mordvilkoi ?
Aphis fabae mordvilkoi ? was ant attended on Burdock, Arctium minus, tucked in between flower buds. Mites present.
Images copyright www.aphotofauna.com all rights reserved.

Bob, Influentialpoints:
Given the host, yes.

Dr. Wagner, 24 May 2014
Today I am sure I have found aphids. These black ones were attended by ants.
Image(s) copyright V. Wagner, all rights reserved.

Bob, InfluentialPoints:

Your black aphids are clearly of the 'Aphis fabae' type, but without the host, that's as far as I can go.

Alan Outen, 03 June 2014, Re: Aphid hunting
Many thanks for this. [These] are bugging me!
I had today what I believe to be Aphis rumicis on Rumex obtusifolius
Bob, InfluentialPoints:
If the aphid on Rumex was causing a gall (major crumpling of leaf) then it was A. rumicis. We have found lots this year, but are a bit behind on putting things on the website.

I have now finished playing with the species on dock that I thought might be Aphis rumicis and although there was some crumpling of upper leaves the aphids were mainly confined to the top of the stem and I now think these are just A. fabae again. I attach one image:
Image copyright Alan Outen, all rights reserved.

V. Wagner 28/9/2014 aphids on galium aparine
Once again I need help on identification. Adult winged, unwinged and nymphs ant attended, found June 01 2014 on Galium aparine. Also some Hamonia axyridis predating those aphids could be found. Is it possible to identify this species?
Images copyright V. Wagner, all rights reserved.

Bob, Influentialpoints:
These are Aphis fabae - they commonly occur on Galium aparine.

Aphis fabae

Black bean aphid, Blackfly

Identification & Distribution