Vicia - Ecology

Ecology

Vetches have cylindrical root nodules of the indeterminate type and are thus nitrogen-fixing plants. Their flowers usually have white to purple or blue hues, but may be red or yellow; they are pollinated by bumblebees, honey bees, solitary bees and other insects.

Vicia species are used as food plants by the caterpillars of some butterflies and moths, such as:

• Coleophora cracella – only found on Vicia species
• Coleophora fuscicornis – only found on smooth tare (V. tetrasperma)
• Paratalanta pandalis – recorded on bush vetch (V. sepium)
• Chionodes lugubrella – recorded on tufted vetch (V. cracca)
• Lime-speck Pug (Eupithecia centaureata) – recorded on tufted betch (V. cracca)
• Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata) – recorded on broad bean (V. faba)
• Provençal Short-tailed Blue (Everes alcetas)
• Amanda's Blue (Polyommatus amandus) – only found on Vicia species
• The Flame (Axylia putris)
• Blackneck (Lygephila pastinum) – recorded on tufted vetch (V. cracca)
• Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa)
• Colias species, e.g., Clouded Sulphur (C. philodice)
• Wood White (Leptidea sinapis)
• Pea Moth (Cydia nigricana)

Most other parasites and plant pathogens affecting vetches have been recorded on the broad bean, the most widely-cultivated and economically significant species. They include the mite Balaustium vignae whose adults are found on broad bean, the potexviruses Alternanthera mosaic virus, clover yellow mosaic virus and white clover mosaic virus, and several other virus species such as Bidens mosaic virus, tobacco streak virus, Vicia cryptic virus and Vicia faba endornavirus.