How Large Is The Threat Of Tarnished Plant Bugs On Cotton Plants?

Tarnished plant bugs are a major pest for cotton growers. Species that commonly infest cotton include Lygus hesperus and Lygus lineolaris.

Cotton is susceptible to tarnished plant bug injury during the early squaring period. Tarnished plant bugs use their piercing-sucking mouthpart to feed on squares, flowers and bolls. Small squares and bolls that have been injured will often shed from the plant, leading to reduced yield potential or delayed crop maturity.

To combat tarnished plant bugs, cotton growers continue to rely on foliar insecticide treatments. But because of insecticide resistance (including pyrethroids and organophosphates) and/or difficulty obtaining adequate coverage in larger cotton, a single application of insecticide may not effectively control heavy established populations of tarnished plant bugs.

There are numerous challenges when combating tarnished plant bugs: pressure may vary, weather can change, and foliar treatments can disrupt beneficial insects. But with ThryvOn Technology, growers will have access to the industry’s first biotech trait that will provide consistent built-in protection against tarnished plant bugs** and may help reduce the need for some insecticide applications.