Includes
Cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora)
Pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum)
Pest description and crop damage Pea aphid is the most common aphid on vetch. It is large, light green, and found on almost all legumes. Cowpea aphid is small and dark, almost black. Both pests feed by sucking plant juice. They build up quickly and stunt and yellow plants. Large populations of either aphid affect yield.
Management-chemical control
- afidopyropen (Sefina) at 0.009 to 0.018 lb ai/A. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Apply at first sign of aphid presences, and before population increases to damaging levels. Minimum retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed more than 0.05 lb ai/A per season. (supplemental label expires October 31, 2023)
- azadirachtin (Aza Direct, Debug, Azera Pro)-Several brands. See label for concentrations. REI 4 hr. Some formulation OMRI listed for organic production.
- malathion (Malathion 57 EC, Fyfanon 8 LB, and others) at 1 to 1.25 lb ai/A. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Avoid applying spray on bloom. Malathion is toxic to all bees. To control pests when bloom is present, apply only in evening or early morning, when bees are not actively foraging in vetch. Always contact beekeeper before applying.
- zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang MAX, Mustang insecticide) at 0.014 to 0.025 lb ai/A. PHI 3 days for cutting or grazing. 7 days hay, seed. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.025 lb ai/A per cutting nor 0.75 lb ai/A per season.