Honeylocust Plant Bug

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Subphylum	Hexapoda
Class	Insecta
Subclass	Pterygota
Infraclass	Neoptera
Superorder	Paraneoptera
Order	Hemiptera
Suborder	Heteroptera
Infraorder	Cimicomorpha
Superfamily	Miroidea
Family	Miridae
Subfamily	Orthotylinae
Tribe	Orthotylini
Genus	Blepharidopterus

Scientific Name

Blepharidopterus chlorionis

Scientific Name Synonyms

Diaphnocoris chlorionis

Common Name

honeylocust plant bug

Compiled by Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University

Diaphnocoris chlorionis (Say) Hemiptera: Miridae

Host:

Honeylocust

Damage and Diagnosis:

Nymphs feed on the developing buds and leaves. They use a "lacerate and flush" feeding style that produces a lot of injury to the feeding site. Young leaves and buds often are killed. Older leaves may survive but show discoloration and deformation of developing foliage due to localized necrosis around feeding points. Heavy infestations may greatly retard foliage development in spring and have been associated with twig and branch dieback.

During outbreaks many of the pale-green nymphs may be dislodged from trees following light shaking of foliage. This can result in nuisance problems when they land on people.

The honeylocust leafhopper (Macropsis fumipennis) typically occurs in co-infestations with honeylocust plant bug and the two species can be easily mistaken for each other. Honeylocust plant bugs are paler colored, have a slightly more blunted abdomen, somewhat giving the appearance of an aphid. The leafhoppers also may walk sideways, crablike, when disturbed a habit not shared by the honeylocust plant bug.

Life History and Habits:

The overwintered eggs hatch in late April or early May. The nymphs feed on tender, emergent leaves and buds. They feed over a period of about a month with most reaching maturity in about one month. The winged adults are present for two or three weeks during which time they mate and females lay eggs into the woody tissues of twigs. There is one generation per year.

Management:

During outbreaks significant damage can be done by honeylocust plant bugs and controls can significantly benefit plant growth and appearance. Vigorous hosing with water can dislodge many nymphs and may be sufficient for smaller trees. Several insecticides are effective for control. However, to get maximum benefit trees should be monitored for emergence of the insects and treated during early stages of the infestation, usually by mid May. Treatments applied during the terminal stages of the infestation, after serious symptoms have developed, will provide little benefit.

The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Criticism of products or equipment not listed is neither implied nor intended. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies. State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality.