1
point
Tiny creatures attacking my plants

Broad bean, dry    India

I'm growing broad bean plants. Lately I noticed lots of ants in them. When I looked closely I saw many black creatures on them which look almost like lies or ticks. Few of the leaves also look like they have been infected with leaf borers.
I'm experiencing a similar problem with my okra plants too. Few of the leaves are curling and appear stunted. Please let me know how I can help my plants.


Posted by: Sneha (2 points) Sneha
Posted: February 12, 2016




Answers

1
point
Broad bean and okra plants in your garden are infected by aphids. Aphids are sap sucking insects cluster on underside of leaves or stem (generally they prefer soft young growth).

Aphids are always associated with ants because they excrete sugary honeydew which serves as food for ants. In turn ants carry aphids from plant to plant or to different parts of same plant.
Also this honeydew encourage sooty mold growth on infected parts (a fungal disease).

If the infestation is severe leaves become yellowing or distorted and shoots become stunted.

Control
1. Squash the insects using your thumb and finger
2. Or spray strong jet of water to remove aphids from plants
3. Or spray neem or canola oil
4. And also use reflective mulches such as silver colored plastic which deter aphids from feeding on plants

And the leaf borer you are mentioning is leaf miners, quite common in beans.

Control
1. Squeeze the leaf at the tunnel between two fingers to crush any larvae
2. If few leaves are infected remove and destroy them
3. Use yellow sticky traps to catch adults


Posted by: Dr. Ravishankar Narayana (15 points) Dr. Ravishankar Narayana
Posted: February 12, 2016


Sneha commented,
Thankyu so much for d advise :)
about 8 years ago.



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