Insect Management for Legumes (Beans, Peas)1
Many different insects attack leguminous vegetables. Aphids damage terminals, whiteflies feed on sap and transmit bean golden mosaic virus, and caterpillars like bean leafroller and beetles feed on leaves. Flower thrips feed in blossoms and stink bugs, corn earworm, and leaffooted bugs damage seeds and pods.
Snap beans are becoming an important crop for Florida. Southern peas (a bean) are common in north Florida. Many other types of beans are grown on a small scale. Increasingly, newer pesticides are being registered for the entire crop group, including legumes such as pigeon pea, yardlong bean, swordbean, and crowder pea. Labels for individual insecticides should be consulted to see if they are labeled for all types of beans.
According to already published guidelines for snap beans (Pernezney et al., 2003) management practices should include scouting twice a week for insect pests in at least one location for every 2.5 acres. More sites should be chosen in small fields (less than 20 acres). A map of the field should be drawn so that pest counts can be connected to a particular section of the field for future reference.
A sample is a 3 section of row. Whiteflies can be estimated by turning over several leaves in the section and counting the number of adults. Terminals should be examined for the presence of aphids. For other pests, a three by threecloth is placed on the ground and the bean plants shaken over it. Insects that fall on the cloth can be identified and counted. The growth stage of the plant and an estimate of defoliation should be recorded. Snap beans can tolerate up to 20% defoliation before pod set and 10% after pod set.
A systemic insecticide (a neonicotinoid) should be applied at planting to control aphids and whiteflies. Later in the season, when the effects of the systemic wear off, an insect growth regulator for whiteflies may be applied. Because it is the pod that is sold, damage to this part of the plant is the most serious. An insecticide appropriate for the pests present should be applied at pinpod. At least one more application may be needed before harvest.
For the organic grower, a number of OMRI-listed insecticides have been listed in the table (see the Notes column).
Cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch.
Potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae.
American serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess)
Granulate cutworm larva, Feltia subterranea (F.).
Southern armyworm larva, Spodoptera eridania (Cramer)
Cabbage looper larva.
Corn earworm adult, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie).
Corn earworm larva, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie).
Banded cucumber beetle, Diabrotica balteata Leconte.
Spotted cucumber beetle, D. undecimpunctata howardi Barber.
References
Pernezny, Ken, Gregg Nuessly, and William Stall. 2003. Integrated pest management for Florida snap beans. University of Florida, IFAS Extension. PPP37. 8 p. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP117.
Tables
Selected insecticides approved for use on insects attacking legumes.
Trade Name (Common Name) |
Rate (product/acre) |
REI (hours) |
Days to Harvest |
Insects |
MOA Code1 |
Notes |
Admire 2F (imidacloprid) |
16-24 oz | 12 |
21 | aphids, leafhoppers, thrips (foliar feeding), whiteflies |
4A | Do not apply more than 24 oz product per acre per season. |
Admire Pro (imidacloprid) |
7-10.5 fl oz | aphids, leafhoppers, thrips, whiteflies |
Do not apply more than 10.5 fl oz per acre per season. | |||
Agree WG (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies aizawai) |
0.5-2.0 lb | 4 | 0 | lepidopteran larvae (caterpillar pests) |
11B1 | Apply when larvae are small for best control. OMRI-listed2. |
*Asana XL 0.66 EC (esfenvalerate) |
2.9-9.6 fl oz | 12 | 3 = snap 21 = dry |
beet armyworm (aids in control), cabbage looper, corn earworm, corn rootworm (adults), cowpea curculio, cucumber beetles, cutworms, European corn borer, flea beetles, grasshoppers, green cloverworm, leafhoppers, Mexican bean beetle, painted lady butterfly (larvae), pea aphid, saltmarsh caterpillar, velvetbean caterpillar |
3 | Do not feed or graze livestock on treated vines. Do not apply more than 0.2 lb ai/acre per season (4 applications at highest rate). |
Aza-Direct (azadirachtin) |
1-2 pts (max 3.5 pts) |
4 |
0 | aphids, beetles, caterpillars, leafhoppers, leafminers, mites, stink bugs, thrips, weevils, whiteflies |
18B |
Antifeedant, repellent, insect growth regulator. OMRI-listed2. |
Azatin XL (azadirachtin) |
5-21 fl oz | 4 | 0 | aphids, beetles, caterpillars, leafhoppers, leafminers, mites, stink bugs, thrips, weevils, whiteflies |
18B |
Antifeedant, repellent, insect growth regulator. |
*Baythroid 2 (cyfluthrin) |
0.8-2.1 fl oz - dry beans & peas |
12 | 7 - dry beans & peas |
beet armyworm (1st & 2nd instar), corn earworm, cowpea curculio, cutworms, fall armyworm (1st & 2nd instar), grasshoppers, plant bugs, potato leafhopper, southern armyworm (1st & 2nd instar), stink bugs, yellowstriped armyworm |
3 | Maximum applications for dry peas = 2. Maximum for southern peas = 5. Not for use on succulent beans or peas or dry beans. Do not feed treated vines of hay to livestock. |
*Baythroid XL (beta-cyfluthrin) |
0.8-2.1 fl oz - southern pea |
3 - southern pea |
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Biobit HP (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki) |
0.5-2.0 lb | 4 | 0 | caterpillars (will not control large armyworms) |
11B2 | Treat when larvae are young. Good coverage is essential. Can be used in the greenhouse. OMRI-listed2. |
BotaniGard 22 WP, ES (Beauveria bassiana) |
WP: 0.5-2 lb/100 gal ES: 0.5-2 qts/100 gal |
4 | 0 | aphids, thrips, whiteflies |
-- | May be used in greenhouses. Contact dealer for recommendations if an adjuvant must be used. Not compatible in tank mix with fungicides. |
*Capture 2 EC (bifenthrin) |
1.6-6.4 fl oz | 12 | 3 | aphids, armyworms, bean leaf beetle, cloverworm, corn earworm, corn rootworm adults, cucumber beetles, cutworms, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, loopers, Lygus spp., mites, pea leaf weevil, pea weevil, plant bugs, sap beetles, stink bugs, thrips, webworms, whiteflies |
3 | Do not apply more than 12.8 ounces of product per acre per season. Succulent beans and peas only. |
Courier 40SC (buprofezin) |
40SC: 9-13.6 fl oz. |
12 | 14 | whitefly nymphs |
16 | For snap beans only. Allow 14 days between applications. Do not exceed 0.76 lb ai/acre per crop (2 applications at high rate). |
Crymax WDG (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki) |
0.5-2 lb | 4 | 0 | caterpillars |
11B2 | Use high rate for armyworms. Treat when larvae are young. |
Deliver (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki) |
0.25-1.5 lb | 4 | 0 | caterpillars |
11B2 | Use higher rates for armyworms. OMRI-listed2. |
Dibrom 8E (naled) |
1-1.5 pt | 48 | 1 | aphids, leafhoppers, loopers, Lygus bugs, spider mites |
1B | Ground application only. |
Dicofol 4E (dicofol) |
1-3 pt | 12 | 21 - dry, green, lima |
twospotted mites |
-- |
No more than 2 applications per season. |
Dimethoate 4EC, 2.67 (dimethoate) |
4EC: 0.5-1 pt 2.67: 0.75-1.5 pt |
48 |
2 - 4 EC 0 - 2.67 |
aphids, bean leaf beetle, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, leafminers, Lygus bug, Mexican bean beetle, mites |
1B | Do not feed treated vines. Highly toxic to bees.
|
DiPel DF (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki) |
0.5-2 lb | 4 | 0 | caterpillars |
11B2 | Treat when larvae are young. Good coverage is essential. OMRI-listed2. |
*Di-Syston 8EC (disulfoton) |
1-2 pt |
48 | planting time only-green/ 60-dry | aphids, Mexican bean beetle, mites, thrips |
1B | See label for information on possible phytotoxicity problems. |
Endosulfan 3 EC (endosulfan) |
0.66-1.33 qts |
24 | 3 | aphids, armyworms, bean leaf skeletonizer, cowpea curculio, cucumber beetles, cutworms, flea beetles, leafhoppers, Mexican bean beetle, stink bugs, whiteflies |
2 | Do not use on lima beans. Do not make more than 3 applications per year. |
Entrust (spinosad) |
1-2 oz |
4 | 3 28 - dry |
armyworms, corn earworm, leafminers, loopers, thrips |
5 | Succulent - Do not apply more than 9 oz/acre per crop. Dry - Do not apply more than 3.75 oz/acre per crop. |
Esteem Ant Bait (pyriproxyfen) |
1.5-2.0 lb |
12 |
1 |
red imported fire ant |
7C |
|
Extinguish ((S)-methoprene) |
1-1.5 lb |
4 | 0 | fire ants |
7A | Slow-acting IGR (insect growth regulator). Best applied early spring and fall where crop will be grown. Colonies will be reduced after three weeks and eliminated after 8 to 10 weeks. May be applied by ground equipment or aerially. |
Intrepid 2F (methoxyfenozide) |
4-16 fl oz |
4 | 7 | armyworms, corn earworm (suppression), loopers |
18A |
Do not apply more than 64 fl oz per acre per season or make more than 4 applications per season. |
Javelin WG (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki) |
0.12-1.50 lbs |
4 | 0 | most caterpillars, but not Spodoptera species (armyworms) |
11B2 | Treat when larvae are young. Thorough coverage is essential. OMRI-listed2. |
Kelthane MF 4 (dicofol) |
1-3 pt |
12 | 21 dry, green, lima |
mites |
-- |
No more than 2 applications per season. |
Knack IGR (pyriproxyfen) |
8-10 fl oz |
12 | 7 | silverleaf whitefly, sweetpotato whitefly |
7C |
Supplemental label. Do not make more than 2 applications per season. Not for soybeans. |
*Lannate LV, *SP (methomyl) |
LV: 0.75-3 pts SP: 0.25-1.0 lb |
48 | See label: varies with rate and crop use |
aphids, beet armyworm, corn earworm, cucumber beetles, European corn borer, fall armyworms, leafhoppers, loopers, lygus bugs, Mexican bean beetle, saltmarsh caterpillar, thrips, variegated cutworm, yellowstriped armyworm |
1A | |
Lepinox WDG (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki) |
1.0-2.0 lb |
12 | 0 | for most caterpillars, including beet armyworm (see label) |
11B2 | Treat when larvae are small. Thorough coverage is essential. |
Malathion 8F (malathion) |
1.5 pt | 12 | 1 |
aphids, cucumber beetles, Lygus bugs, mites, Mexican bean beetle, potato leafhopper |
1B | Field & greenhouse. Do not graze or feed forage to livestock. |
*MSR Spray Concentrate (oxydemeton-methyl) |
2 pt | 48 | 21 | leafhoppers, mites |
1B | Lima beans only. |
Mocap *15G, EC (ethoprop) |
See label for rates |
48 |
at planting | symphylans |
1B | Snap and lima beans. Do not allow granules to contact seed. |
M-Pede 49% EC Soap, insecticidal |
1-2% V/V |
12 |
0 |
aphids, leafhoppers, mites, plant bugs, thrips, whiteflies |
-- | OMRI-listed2. |
*Mustang Max (zeta-cypermethrin) |
1.28-4.0 oz |
12 | 1 - succulent 21 - dried shelled peas or beans |
bean leaf beetle, corn earworm, cowpea curculio, cutworms, fall armyworm, flea beetles, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, lesser cornstalk borer (aids in control), Mexican bean beetle, plant bugs, potato leafhopper, saltmarsh caterpillar, southern armyworm, stink bugs, thrips (aids in ontrol) true armyworm, velvetbean caterpillar, whiteflies (aids in control), yellowstriped armyworm |
3 | Do not make applications less than 5 days apart. |
Neemix 4.5 (azadirachtin) |
4-16 fl oz |
12 | 0 | aphids, armyworms, bean leaf beetle, cabbage looper, corn earworm, cutworms, garden webworm, leafminers, loopers, soybean looper, webworms, whiteflies |
18B |
Acts as IGR and feeding repellent. Does not kill adult insects. OMRI-listed2. |
Orthene 75S (acephate) |
75S: 0.33-1.33 lb 97: 0.25-1.0 lb |
24 | 14 = snapbeans or dry beans
0 = lima beans, succulent form |
aphids (excluding black bean aphid), armyworms (excluding beet armyworm), bean leaf beetle, bean leafroller, cabbage looper, corn earworm, cutworms, European corn borer, fleahoppers, grasshoppers, green cloverworm, leafhoppers, Mexican bean beetle, plant bugs (Lygus), soybean looper, thrips, whiteflies (except silverleaf or sweetpotato whiteflies) |
1B | Do not apply more than 2 lb active ingredient per acre per season. |
*Penncap-M (methyl parathion) |
2-4 pts | 4 days (see label) |
15 | aphids, cowpea curculio, cucumber beetles, European corn borer, leafhoppers, lygus bugs, Mexican bean beetle, stink bugs |
1B | For dry beans (southern peas) Begin applications when blooms are first observed. |
Proaxis Insecticide (gamma-cyhalothrin) |
1.92-3.84 fl oz |
24 | 7 - for edible podded and succulent shelled. 21 - for dry beans and peas. |
Aphids(1), armyworms(2), bean leaf beetle, blister beetles, corn earworm, cucumber beetles, cowpea curculio(3), cutworms, flea beetles, grasshoppers, green cloverworm, leafhoppers, leaftiers, lesser cornstalk borer(1), loopers, meadow spittlebug, Mexican bean beetle, painted lady butterfly (larvae), plant bugs, saltmarsh caterpillar, spider mites(1), stink bugs, thrips(1), tobacco budworm, velvetleaf caterpillar, webworms, whiteflies(1) |
3 | (1) Suppression only (2) First and second instars only. (3) For control before larvae bore into the plant stalk or pods. Do not apply more than 1.92 pints per acre per season. |
Provado 1.6F (imidacloprid) |
3.5 oz |
12 | 7 | aphids, leafhoppers, whiteflies |
4A | Not recommended following a soil application of Admire (succulent & edible podded only). |
Pyrellin EC (pyrethrins + rotenone) |
1-2 pt | 12 | 12 hours | aphids, bean leaf beetle, cucumber beetles, European corn borer, flea beetles, fleahoppers, leafhoppers, leafminers, loopers, lygus bugs, mites, plant bugs, stink bugs, thrips, whiteflies |
3, 21 | |
Sevin 80S, 4F (carbaryl) |
80S: 0.63-1.88 lb 4F: 0.5-1.5 qt |
12 | 14 days for grazing or harvest for forage, or within 3 days of harvest of fresh beans or peas, or within 21 days of harvest of dried beans or peas, seed or hay. | armyworms, bean leaf beetle, blister beetles, corn earworm, cowpea curculio (suppression), cucumber beetles, cutworms, fall armyworm, flea beetles, garden webworm, green cloverworm, leafhoppers, Mexican bean beetle, plant bugs, saltmarsh caterpillar, stink bugs, tarnished plant bug, three-cornered alfalfa hopper, thrips, velvetbean caterpillar, webworms, yellowstriped armyworm |
1A | Repeat, as needed, up to 4 times. Applications should be at least 7 days apart.
|
SpinTor 2 SC (spinosad) |
3-6 fl oz |
4 | 3 - succulent 28 - dry |
armyworms, corn earworm, European corn borer (eggs and larvae), leafminers, loopers, thrips |
5 | |
Sun Spray 98.8% JMS Stylet-Oil others Oil, insecticidal |
3-6 qts/100 gal (JMS) 1-2 gal/100 gal (others) |
4 | 0 | aphids, leafhoppers, leafminers, mites, thrips, whiteflies |
-- | Organic Stylet -Oil is OMRI-listed2. |
*Temik 15G (aldicarb) |
5.0-14.0 lb |
48 | at planting, 90 |
aphids, leafhoppers, Mexican bean beetle, mites |
1A | Dry beans only. One application. Do not feed green forage hay, or straw to livestock. Do not use green pods as food for humans. |
*Thimet 20 G (phorate) |
No more than 7.6 lb |
48 | 60 | aphids, leafhoppers, Lygus bugs, Mexican bean beetle, seedcorn maggots, thrips |
1B | At planting only. Avoid direct contact with seed. |
Trigard (cyromazine) |
2.66 oz |
12 | 7 | leafminers |
17 | Dry beans (including southern pea), except cowpea and soybeans, also succulent lima beans. Limited to 6 applications. |
Trilogy (extract of neem oil) |
0.5-2% V/V |
4 | 0 | aphids, mites, suppression of thrips and whiteflies |
18B |
Apply morning or evening to reduce potential for leaf burn. Toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment. OMRI-listed2. |
Warrior (lambda-cyhalothrin) |
1.92-3.84 fl oz |
24 | 7 - edible podded and succulent shelled
21 - dried, shelled |
aphids, bean leaf beetle, beet armyworm(2), corn earworm, cutworms, cucumber beetle adults, green clover worm, fall armyworm (1st & 2nd instar), flea beetles, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, leafminers, lesser cornstalk borer(2), loopers, Mexican bean beetle, plant bugs, spider mites(2), stink bugs, thrips(1), whiteflies(2), yellowstriped armyworm (1st & 2nd instar) |
3 | (1) Does not include western flower thrips. (2) Suppression only |
Xentari DF (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies aizawai) |
0.5-2.0 lb |
4 | 0 | caterpillars |
Treat when larvae are young. Thorough coverage is essential. May be used in the greenhouse. Can be used in organic production. |
|
The pesticide information presented in this table was current with federal and state regulations at the time of revision. The user is responsible for determining the intended use is consistent with the label of the product being used. Use pesticides safely. Read and follow label instructions. |
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1 Mode of Action codes for vegetable pest insecticides from the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) Mode of Action Classification v.5.2 December 2006. 1A. Acetylcholine esterase inhibitors, Carbamates 1B. Acetylcholine esterase inhibitors, Organophosphates 2A. GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists 3. Sodium channel modulators 4A. Nicotinic Acetylcholine receptor agonists/antagonists, Neonicotinoids 5. Nicotinic Acetylcholine receptor agonists (not group 4) 6. Chloride channel activators 7A. Juvenile hormone mimics, Juvenile hormone analogues 7C. Juvenile hormone mimics, Pyriproxifen 9A. Compounds of unknown or non-specific mode of action (selective feeding blockers), Cryolite 9B. Compounds of unknown or non-specific mode of action (selective feeding blockers), Pymetrozine 9C. Compounds of unknown or non-specific mode of action (flonicamid) 11B1. Microbial disruptors of insect midgut membranes, B.t. var aizawai 11B2. Microbial disruptors of insect midgut membranes, B.t. var kurstaki 12B. Inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation, disruptors of ATP formation, Organotin miticide 15. Inhibitors of chitin biosynthesis, type 0, Lepidopteran 16. Inhibitors of chitin biosynthesis, type 1, Homopteran 17. Inhibitors of chitin biosynthesis, type 2, Dipteran 18A. Ecdysone agonist/disruptor 18B. Ecdysone agonist/disruptor (azadirachtin) 20. Site II electron transport inhibitors 21. Site I electron transport inhibitors 22. Voltage-dependent sodium channel blocker 23. Inhibitors of lipid biosynthesis 25. Neuronal inhibitors 2 OMRI-listed: Listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute for use in organic production. |
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* Restricted Use Pesticide |
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Footnotes
This document is ENY-465 (IG151), one of a series of the Entomology & Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: July 2002. Revised: September 2007. For more publications related to horticulture/agriculture, please visit the EDIS Website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/.
S. E. Webb, associate professor, Entomology and Nematology Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611-0640.
The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition. All chemicals should be used in accordance with directions on the manufacturer's label. Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the manufacturer's label.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal
Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational
information and other services only to individuals and institutions
that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed,
color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital
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For more information on obtaining other extension publications,
contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service,
University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative
Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy,
Interim Dean.
