Pest Profile

Tarnished plant bugs, a.k.a. lygus bugs, are another potential problem for Kansas cotton growers. Many other crops can be a source of plant bugs. Alfalfa is an especially good host plant and large numbers may migrate from fields after cuttings. They occur about the same time as fleahoppers and cause similar damage, however they are bigger and can cause damage to larger bolls later in the season. Although such bolls may not abscise, they will not open properly. Some references indicate that one plant bug equals about 3 fleahoppers. Many of the insecticides listed for fleahoppers also are labeled for tarnished plant bugs.