False Chinch Bug (Kansas Sorghum)

Scouting time

False chinch bugs occasionally become abundant when conditions favor survival on various weed hosts, particularly wild mustards. They have a wide host range and as many as four generations per year. Fields planted no-till into wheat stubble where weed control was delayed until just before planting, and fields bordering weedy areas are most at risk. False chinch bugs appear to spend little time on sorghum plants, but abundant populations can reduce stands. False chinch bug adults also can swarm into sorghum fields later in the season

Sampling method

None listed.

Thresholds

Infestations averaging 140 bugs per panicle during milk stage are considered damaging. But swarms of adults usually are spotty. Unless several spots are present, it is usually hard to justify field-wide treatment.

Chemical control

Insecticide

 Rate

Alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac EC)

3.2 to 3.9 fl. oz./acre

Beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid XL)

 0.010 to 0.022 lbs. a.i./acre (1.3 to 2.8 fl. oz.)

Chlorpyrifos plus zeta-cypermethrin (Stallion)

 9.25 to 11.75 fl. oz./acre

Zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang MAXX, Respect EC, etc.)

 0.02 to 0.025 lb. a.i./acre (3.2 to 4.0 fl. oz.)

 

Non-chemical controls

None listed.

Content authors

Disclaimers

This content may not be suitable for other states than Kansas.