What's Been Nibbling my Broad Bean Seedlings?

so I sowed some Broad Bean seeds the other week into small individual cups and put them in the greenhouse to germinate and grow but I noticed the other day that the seeds had just started to sprout and the cotyledon had been noticeably nibbled and when I disturbed the soil a very tiny green insect appeared and visibly jumped away from my finger...

I'm at a complete loss as to what it might have been as I've never seen anything like it before...

 

Just popped out for some photo's and there seem to be quite a few even in pots without visible sprouts however I did also find a small snail which found the bottom of my shoe so these insects may be getting a bad rap but I still want to be sure....

 

spring tails???

 

If a mouse was responsible the cotyledon would have been exposed. If you don't either get rid of them before you start sowing beans, peas, sunflowers, etc, they might have the lot, or place somewhere mice can't get to. Even then keep an eye open for signs of slug/snail activity in your greenhouse, especially when putting plants outside to harden off and bringing back inside.

P.S. Is it just the image quality, or is that sowing medium very gloopy?

 

Why not if they are getting three good meals a day, courtesy of you John !

 

I've moved them to a cold frame and the nibbling appears to have stopped, I doubt we have rodents of any kind as we have a very active ratter in the shape of our cat who we would notice going crazy in the garden if he even got so much as a whiff!

I have to wonder if it may well have been the snail I killed... still I'm just happy it's no longer an issue!

 

I had a mouse in the greenhouse last year eating my ripe tomatoes!
I never saw the blighter, my cat never caught him & I can't recall hubby catching him I the trap either! I shall get the little horror this year if he returns!

 

How are they doing in the cold frame?

 

Fine no nibbles and they're all starting to come up

 

Excellent!!
Now all you have to worry about is the blackfly in a couple of months time
So pleased they have taken off for you and no more nibbles

 

Hi everyone. This is my first year of trying to grow dwarf broadbeans and they started as strong looking plants. Now something seems to be nibbling the bottom of the flowers off and I can't see anything on the plants. The photos show the stump that is left. Does anyone know this a bug? Also the leaves have some damage too. Apart from that they still look strong plants with plenty flowers but I only have two pods formed as others seem to just come off. Thanks

 

The flowers drop if they are not getting pollinated.

 

Hi, thanks Pete
This could be what's happening then. Makes sense. Thanks