Bean Fly

A stem damaging fly (Ophiomyia phaseoli) or Bean Fly that attacks many legume crops. Capable of causing premature plant death, especially in seedlings.
Adults are small (3 mm long) and shiny black with clear wings. The larvae (or maggots) are cream with dark mouthparts and reach 3 mm in length. Larval tunnelling damages the plants vascular tissue, causing reduced plant vigour and petiole droop in older crops. Severe infestations can cause seedling death. Crops are at greatest risk for three to four weeks from emergence, but later crops are sometimes attacked.