Topic: Runner bean bugs

[JustUncle]

Hi all,
I'm fairly new to gardening and this site and so far have only been able to post questions, so sorry but here's another one.

My runner beans are covered in hundreds of black bugs.
Could someone identify them for me please. I don't think they're shield bug larvae because they don't have the characteristic "shoulders"
The beans are Moonlight.
I have noticed that the flowers aren't being produced in such quantities since the bugs appeared.

I have posted the pics on another forum without any success

Any ideas would be appreciated.

I have clicked  "Attachments and other options".............there isn't an option to attach pictures........have I missed something???

I think this post is pointless without pics......sorry 

[galina]

Well maybe not a problem that can't be worked around.  Do your black bugs look like this:

http://www.gardenseeker.com/plant_pests_problems/plant-pests/blackfly.html

If this is the thing your beans are suffering from, there are remedies suggested to deal  with it.

If it is, a pretty sharp spray from a garden hose will immediately wash a good many of them off, whilst you get a soap spray or other spray organised.

[JustUncle]

No, sorry, they're definitely not blackfly, I should have said in my original post.

Any ideas why I can't post pics..............is it coz I'm a new boy? 

If so, how many posts do I need under my belt before being let out of quarantine? 

[galina]

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,77955.msg790415.html#msg790415

An explanation on how to attach photos.

You could also give us the url of the site where you have posted a picture of your bugs in the same way I posted the url of the website that had a good picture of the blackfly.

As it is not blackfly, I am out of ideas without seeing the picture.  Hope you can get us a photo so that we can put our heads together for a remedy.

Generally speaking, if it is one of the bugs that seems to be sucking sap, a blast from the garden hose followed by a soft soap spray will sort out most of those. 

[JustUncle]

I think I might have managed that......I'm not the best at these things!!


http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/JustUncle/library/Black%20bugs?sort=3&page=1

[galina]

I think I might have managed that......I'm not the best at these things!!


http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/JustUncle/library/Black%20bugs?sort=3&page=1

That looks very similar to the bruchid bean beetle.  I have never seen this on runnerbeans.  It is common on broad beans and occasionally French beans.  A bean beetle of some sort.

They eat notches out of the leaves and lay eggs inside the seeds. 

Another member reported the broad bean eating type of this beetle here:
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,78172.msg792246.html#msg792246

I am sorry I don't know how to control this pest on runner beans.  Hope other members will chip in with suggestions.

[Squash64]

I think I might have managed that......I'm not the best at these things!!


http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/JustUncle/library/Black%20bugs?sort=3&page=1

Excellent photos!  I clicked and enlarged them and they look exactly the same
bugs which are in my broad bean seeds.

[JustUncle]

Excellent photos!  I clicked and enlarged them and they look exactly the same
bugs which are in my broad bean seeds.

I looked at the Bruchid bean beetle, as suggested by galina, but I'm not sure.

http://www.winter-beans.co.uk/index.php/about-winter-beans/insects-pests/bruchid-beetle

There are so many that are similar but I haven't come across an exact match yet.
I fear for my beans survival 

[Squash64]

JustUncle - this is the thread I started about my broad beans, you might find it helpful.

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,78172.msg792276.html#msg792276

[laurieuk]

Looking at the photo I would think they are pollen beetles that come from the oil seed rape.  They eat the pollen so will badly effect your crop. We have them often on daffodils and sweet peas but have never found a cure. 

Hi all,
I'm fairly new to gardening and this site and so far have only been able to post questions, so sorry but here's another one.

My runner beans are covered in hundreds of black bugs.
Could someone identify them for me please. I don't think they're shield bug larvae because they don't have the characteristic "shoulders"
The beans are Moonlight.
I have noticed that the flowers aren't being produced in such quantities since the bugs appeared.

I have posted the pics on another forum without any success

Any ideas would be appreciated.

I have clicked  "Attachments and other options".............there isn't an option to attach pictures........have I missed something???

I think this post is pointless without pics......sorry 

[JustUncle]

Thanks for the replies.
I have had a response from The Natural History Museum.

"Yes, definitely shield bug, but possibly looking 'wrong' to you because they are all nymphs."

So that's answered, but how much damage will they do?

[galina]

Thanks for the replies.
I have had a response from The Natural History Museum.

"Yes, definitely shield bug, but possibly looking 'wrong' to you because they are all nymphs."

So that's answered, but how much damage will they do?

Well, well, well - you just never stop learning! Thank you for telling us about the response from the Natural History Museum.   

[sparrow]

Have just seen this - check pictures for southern green shield beetle. If they match, then they are an imported pest which spreads diseases in beans, but particular in runners. I've had them on my runners and borlottis, and it looks like the borlottis have given up. And the Aeron Purple Star were badly affected but recovered after a severe haircut.

If they are what you have, I'd squish 'em if you can. There is a website for reporting cases of southern green shield beetle here:http://www.brc.ac.uk/risc/southern_green.php but defra notes they are now considered as established. http://www.nonnativespecies.org//factsheet/factsheet.cfm?speciesId=2356

[JustUncle]

Thanks sparrow, there are far too many to squash. I have cut off some leaves & stems where the infestation is large.
They are definitely affecting the "crop" with whole clusters of beans shrivelled up.
We have had the green shield bug in the garden for years, (at least 10), but I have never seen the nymph stage before.

We're nearly 2 weeks down the line now from my original post & pics but I don't see any change in the size of the bugs.

I have logged the information with the pics on the non native site, so thanks for that link.
If they get back to me I'll update again, it would be good to have a definitive identification.