Insect Pests of Vigna Unguiculata

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), also called the black-eyed pea or field pea, is a legume that’s several sub-species, for example, crowder pea and asparagus bean. Vegetable gardeners and even starting can increase this staple of cooking, which thrives in United States Department of Agriculture zones 9 to 11 and reaches maturity in about 90 days. Though relatively low-maintenance, cowpeas do deal with using a tiny assortment of bugs.

Nematodes

Both root-knot and aboveground nematodes – microscopic worms – assault cowpea crops. Root-knot nematodes cause knotting of the root-system while aboveground types of the cause nutrient deficiencies, resulting in wilting and stunted development. Crop rotation, weeding and fallowing manage nematode infestation. Certain types of cowpea – including Magnolia Black Eye, Mississippi Pink Eye and Mississippi Purple – resist nematode infestation.

Weevils

Cowpea crops are attacked by the weevil identified as cowpea curculio, particularly although pest also seems in the south-western areas of the region. Infestation outcomes in lesion-like places on the pods and causes malformed veggies of the plant. Cowpea curculio infests string beans, lima beans, soybeans, cotton and strawberry. Fallowing and crop rotation aid handle this kind of weevil, as does the procedure for sealing plastic on the soil for approximately eight weeks of the plant throughout the summer or spring season, soil solarization. Marigolds next to cowpeas helps to to manage this pest.

Aphids

Soft- aphids seem as small dots that are green on the cowpea plant. As aphids feed on the plant’s important nutrients and moisture – preying on the leaves and fruiting stems – they trigger the foliage of cowpeas to to show yellow. Soot is also caused by these bugs -like fungus to develop. Pesticides might destroy the natural enemies including beetles and wasps. Pruning of neem oil soap, impacted leaves as well as a wholesome hosing of the lower of leaves serve as efficient aphid control techniques.

Stink Bugs

Green stink bugs, especially the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula, prey on cowpea crops. Stink bugs puncture feed and pea pods on veggies that are building, leaving pock-marks on the vegetable epidermis. Veggies that endure and cowpeas stinkbug assaults are safe to consume. Stink bugs killed independently, typically by sprinkling them or dropping them and have to be plucked off.