Author(s)

Regina W. Mwanauta, Kelvin M. Mtei, Patrick A. Ndakidemi

School of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania.

Common bean production in Africa suffers from different constrains. The main damage is caused by insect pest infestations in the field. The most common insects pests which attack common bean in the field are the bean stem maggot (Ophiomyia phaseoli), ootheca (Ootheca bennigseni) and aphids (Aphis fabae). Currently, few farmers in Africa are using commercial pesticides for the control of these insect pests. Due to the negative side effects of commercial pesticides to human health and the environment, there is a need for developing and recommending alternative methods such as those involving agronomic and botanical/biological measures in controlling common bean insect pests. This review aim to report the most common insects pests which attack common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the field and explore the potential of agronomic, biological and botanical methods as a low-cost, safe and environmentally friendly means of controlling insect pests in legumes.

Field Pests, Damage, Pest Management, Plant Extracts, Explore, Potential

Mwanauta, R. , Mtei, K. and Ndakidemi, P. (2015) Potential of Controlling Common Bean Insect Pests (Bean Stem Maggot (Ophiomyia phaseoli), Ootheca (Ootheca bennigseni) and Aphids (Aphis fabae)) Using Agronomic, Biological and Botanical Practices in Field. Agricultural Sciences, 6, 489-497. doi: 10.4236/as.2015.65048.