Aphids (Aphidoidea) - Suck plant sap, causing leaf curling and stunted growth.
Cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora)
This is the most frequently reported aphid species on leguminous plants [Common bean (Phaseolus
vulgaris), Chickpea (Cicer arietinum), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), Mung bean (Vigna radiata), Gliricidia
sepium (Madre de Cacao), Leucaena leucocephala (Ipil-ipil)]. It’s a polyphagous pest, meaning it feeds
on a wide variety of plants. They are small, dark-colored aphids that usually cluster on young shoots,
stems, and the undersides of leaves. Known to transmit several plant viruses.
Known to transmit several plant viruses.
Cowpea Aphid-Borne Mosaic Virus (CABMV)
Groundnut Rosette Virus
Alfalfa Mosaic Virus (AMV)
METHODS OF CONTROL
Cultural Control Prevent aphid outbreaks before they start.
Crop Rotation - Reduces buildup of aphid populations
Field Sanitation - Remove weeds and volunteer plants (many are aphid hosts). Uproot and
destroy heavily infested plants.
Biological Control
Natural predators: Lady beetles (e.g. Coccinella spp.) & Hoverfly larvae (e.g. Syrphidae)
Mechanical & Physical Control
Yellow sticky traps – Attract and trap flying aphids.
Prune heavily infested parts – Then burn or bury to prevent spread.
Chemical Control (Only When Necessary)
Leafhoppers (Empoasca spp.) - Feed on young
leaves, leading to yellowing and reduced growth.
Green Leaf hopper (Empoasca kerri)
A small, wedge-shaped, light green insect known for its fast movement and ability to jump or fly
quickly when disturbed. Nymphs are pale green and wingless, while adults are slender with transparent
wings. Primarily legumes like mungbean, cowpea, soybean, and pigeon pea. Causes "hopper burn" —
yellowing and browning of leaf edges, leaf curling, stunted growth, and reduced yields due to sap-
sucking and toxin injection. Common in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in Southeast Asia.
METHODS OF CONTROL
Crop Rotation Breaks pest cycle
Sanitation Remove weeds and residues
Biological Control Promote predators like ladybugs and spiders
Sticky Traps Monitor and reduce adult populations
Chemical Spray Use only when necessary
Cutworms (Agrotis spp.) – Cut seedlings at the base, leading to plant loss.
Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon) - Dark brown to black with wavy lines on the forewings; about 4–5 cm
wingspan; active at night. Larvae is greasy, smooth, dark gray to black Curl into a tight C-shape when
disturbed. Feed at night and hide in the soil during the day.
Damage: Seedlings cut at the base, often overnight, Wilting or dead plants seen in scattered patches,
Larvae found just under the soil near damaged plants, Reduced stand, especially in early crop stages
Worldwide pest, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Common and damaging in Southeast Asia,
including the Philippines
TARGETS CROPS:
Field Legumes:
Mungbean (Vigna radiata)
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)
Soybean (Glycine max)
Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan)
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
METHODS OF CONTROL
Cultural control
Field Preparation - Regularly plow the soil to expose cutworm pupae to predators and the sun.
This helps reduce the larval population.
Crop Rotation - Alternate legumes (mungbean, cowpea) with non-host crops (e.g., corn, rice,
sorghum) to break the pest cycle.
Sanitation - Remove Debris and Weeds: Clean the field after harvest and remove weeds, as
these can provide refuge for cutworm larvae and eggs.
Biological Control (Natural predator)
Encourage or introduce beneficial organisms that target cutworms:
Birds (mynas, sparrows)
Parasitoid wasps (Trichogramma spp.) that target cutworm eggs
Mechanical & Physical Control
Traps
Pitfall Traps: Bury small containers with an attractant (such as sugar water or molasses) at soil
level to trap larvae as they emerge.
Physical Barriers
Mulching: Use organic or synthetic mulch to create a barrier that reduces soil disturbance and
makes it harder for larvae to reach the plants.
Chemical control should be used as a last resort
Pod Borers (Crambidae) – Damage flowers and seed pods, reducing seed production
Legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata)
Adult Moth:
Small, about 1.5–2 cm in wingspan
Color: Forewings are light brown with a white or cream band, hindwings are white with brownish
borders.
Behavior: Moths are nocturnal and lay eggs on the underside of leaves or pods.
Larvae (Caterpillars):
Color: Light green to yellowish with dark spots on the body
Appearance: Plump and smooth-bodied, feeding in a looping fashion (similar to most caterpillars)
Damage: Feed on the leaves, flowers, and developing pods, causing the pods to shrivel and drop.
It is a serious pest in Philippine leguminous fields, especially in wet and dry seasons.
Field Legumes:
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
Mungbean (Vigna radiata)
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)
Soybean (Glycine max)
Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan)
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum)
METHODS OF CONTROL
. Cultural Control
Field Sanitation
Remove infected plant material such as damaged pods and leaves. Clean up crop residues after
harvest to reduce overwintering larvae and pupae.
Crop Rotation
Rotate with non-leguminous crops (e.g., rice, corn) to break the life cycle of the pest and reduce
its buildup in the soil.
Spacing and Plant Density
Use proper spacing between plants to ensure good airflow, which can help reduce humidity that
promotes Maruca survival and larval development.
Biological Control
Mechanical & Physical Control
Handpicking and Destroying Larvae
Inspect plants regularly and remove larvae manually from pods and flowers. This can be labor-
intensive but effective on small-scale farms.
Chemical Control
Anthracnose (Colletotrichum spp.) – Leads to dark lesions on stems and leaves.
Bean anthracnose fungus (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum) - A fungal pathogen in the Ascomycota
phylum.
Produces acervuli (fruiting bodies) that release conidia (asexual spores).
Conidia are hyaline, unicellular, and cylindrical, which can germinate under moist conditions.
In humid conditions, pink to salmon-colored spore masses form on infected plant parts.
Can survive in seeds and infected crop residues for long periods.
Target Legumes
Primarily affects Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean), but may also infect:
Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus)
Scarlet runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus)
Tepary beans (Phaseolus acutifolius)
Occasionally, cowpeas and soybeans under experimental conditions
Methods of Spread
Seedborne Transmission Primary mode of introduction into new areas. Infected seeds can carry
dormant spores or fungal structures.
Rain Splash Secondary spread within a field occurs via rain splash that moves spores from
infected to healthy plants.
Wind Spores can be moved short distances by wind-driven rain.
Insects and Human Activity Tools, clothing, and fieldworkers can transfer spores during field
work.Insects feeding on infected plants can also aid in spread.
Crop Residues The pathogen overwinters or oversummers in infected debris, serving as a source
of inoculum for the next season.
Favorable Conditions for Infection
Temperature: 17–25°C (optimal ~22°C)
Humidity: Above 90%
Leaf wetness: At least 12–24 hours of moisture for successful infection
Methods of Control
Cultural Control
Use certified disease-free seeds Prevents initial infection from seedborne spores.
Crop rotation Rotate with non-host crops (e.g., corn, cereals) for at least 2–3 seasons.
Field sanitation Remove and burn or bury infected plant residues after harvest.
Proper plant spacing Ensures good air flow to reduce humidity within the crop canopy.
Avoid overhead irrigation Use drip irrigation or water at the base of plants to limit leaf
wetness.
Chemical Control Apply fungicides preventively or at the first sign of symptoms
(Systemic ; Thiophanate-methyl, Azoxystrobin)
Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe spp.) – Forms
white powdery growth on leaves, reducing
plant health.
Legume Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe polygoni) - Erysiphe polygoni is a fungal pathogen causing powdery
mildew in field legumes like mungbean, soybean, and cowpea. It appears as white, powdery spots on
leaves, stems, and pods, leading to reduced photosynthesis, stunted growth, and yield loss.
Methods of Spread
Airborne spores (conidia): Easily carried by wind over long distances.
Plant-to-plant contact: Dense planting can increase local spread.
Volunteer plants and infected debris: Serve as sources of inoculum between cropping seasons.
Methods of Control
1. Cultural Control
Use resistant or tolerant varieties.
Practice crop rotation and remove infected plant debris.
Ensure proper spacing for air circulation.
Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization.
2. Chemical Control
Apply fungicides such as sulfur, propiconazole, or azoxystrobin at the early stage of infection.
Root Rot (Phytophthora spp., Fusarium spp.) – Affects roots, causing wilting and plant death.
Damping-off (Rhizoctonia Root Rot) - A soilborne fungal disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani that
affects roots and lower stems of legumes. It typically causes reddish-brown lesions at or below the soil
line, root decay, and damping-off in seedlings. Plants may appear stunted, wilted, or die prematurely,
especially in warm, moist soils.
Target Legumes Affected by Rhizoctonia Root Rot
Mungbean (Vigna radiata)
Soybean (Glycine max)
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)
Methods of Spread:
Soilborne: The fungus survives in the soil as sclerotia (resting structures) or mycelium.
Plant debris: Can persist on infected residues.
Contaminated tools or equipment
Methods of Control:
1. Cultural Control
Practice crop rotation with non-host crops (e.g., cereals).
Ensure well-drained soils to avoid excess moisture.
Remove plant debris and sanitize tools.
2. Chemical Control
Apply fungicide seed treatments (e.g., thiram, metalaxyl, or carboxin).
In severe cases, apply soil fungicides before planting.
Mosaic Virus (Bean Common Mosaic Virus - BCMV) – Leads to mottling and stunted growth.
Cowpea Aphid-Borne Mosaic Virus (CABMV)
A potyvirus that causes mosaic, mottling, leaf
distortion, and stunted growth in legumes. It severely affects
yield and quality, especially in young plants. Commonly found
in tropical and subtropical regions, including the Philippines.
Target Legumes:
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
Mungbean (Vigna radiata)
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea)
Soybean (Glycine max)
Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Method of Spread:
Insect vector: Transmitted by aphids (mainly Aphis craccivora) in a non-persistent manner
Infected seeds: Some level of seed transmission may occur
Mechanical transmission: Possible via contaminated tools and human handling
Methods of Control:
Use virus-free seeds
Plant resistant or tolerant varieties, if available
Control aphid populations using insecticides or natural predators (e.g., lady beetles)
Practice crop rotation to reduce virus sources
Remove and destroy infected plants early
Use reflective mulches or yellow sticky traps to repel aphids
