HPIPM:Lygus Bugs Sugarbeets

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	Mirinae
Tribe	Mirini
Genus	Lygus

Scientific Name

Lygus unctuosus

Common Name

plant bug

Author: Gary L. Hein

Lygus bug, Lygus spp., is a term given to a group of insects that are related and have a similar appearance and life cycle. These insects feed primarily on flowers and developing seeds, but they can damage sugarbeet leaves. Economic damage from this insect would be rare.

Identification (life cycle and seasonal history)

Lygus bugs are green to brown in color with black and yellow markings. They are roughly 1/4 inch long and have a triangular patch on the back between the wings. They overwinter as adults in debris in and around fields. They require approximately one month to complete their development so multiple generations will occur each year. Lygus bug adults will readily move from field to field and are most frequently found in alfalfa fields.

Plant Damage and Response

Feeding from the lygus bugs can cause yellow discoloration and distorted growth (puckering) at the leaf tips. Extensive feeding can result in severe damage to the heart leaves and stunting of the plant. Young leaves that are just developing are most susceptible to lygus feeding. When adjacent alfalfa fields are cut, lygus bugs are apt to move into sugarbeet fields to feed.

Management

Lygus bug presence is rarely severe enough to justify an insecticide application. In this region it has been limited to a few isolated plants in the field. North Dakota State University has established a treatment threshold of a third of the plants infested with one or more lygus bugs.

Table

Product List for Cutworms:

Insecticide Product per Acre Preharvest Interval, remarks chlorpyrifos 4E1

(Lorsban plus generics)

1.0 pt./A
PHI 30 days; REI 24 hrs.

RRestricted use pesticide 1Labeled for chemigation.

Table

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.