Bugs Are Eating My Vegetable Plants

Bean Aphid

• Bean aphid is a common pest of beet, carrot, squash, corn and all bean varieties. The dark green to blue-black, winged or wingless bugs are 1/12 inch long. The pests are found under foliage and on stems. Bean aphid feeding causes yellow, distorted foliage and poor plant growth. Control with predators like lacewing and lady beetle or use neem oil and horticultural oil on infested plants.

Blister Beetles

• Blister beetles are ½ to ¾ inch long, gray, black or striped bugs that infest beet, corn, melon, peas, turnip, tomato, potato and radish and eat the foliage. In case of light infestation, pick the pest off manually. Use gloves, as the bugs discharge a fluid that can blister the skin. Use recommended insecticides in case of heavy populations.

Cabbage Aphid

• Cabbage aphids are grayish green to light blue in color and collect in large numbers on foliage undersides on cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale and broccoli. Damage results in curled foliage and stunted plant growth. Seedlings are killed entirely. The pests multiply rapidly. Introduce parasitic wasps and lady beetles to an infested plant for control.