On Broad Beans

familiy Aphididae (Aphids)

Blackfly (Aphis fabae): I am used to removing the tops, and sometimes larger pieces of broad bean stems to curtail the infestation of Blackfly. This year has not only produced a larger infestation but the black fly have spread to a handful of runner bean plants.

I have noticed elderflower branches and flower fronds covered in Blackfly: must have been hundreds of thousands if not millions, but not here on the land.

On Chard

On Runner Beans

family Aleyrodidae

The Cabbage Whitefly (Alyrodes brassicae) There have been regular infestations after the first few years of cultivation.

Actions: My usual task is to pinch out or cut infected parts and put them in a bucket and then tub which has water, pee and wood ash. The liquid is then conveniently draw off and used to feed the crops.

As Aphids use a secondary host plant in their breeding cycles it may be useful to discover and eliminate or reduce there number where they exist within a hundred yards of the crop area.

I have also noted some collections of dark, but shiny insects on Red Campion but more like beetles ????