Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) grown in Manitoba was not considered as a suitable host for Lygus because of its late growth habits. However, recent reports have indicated Lygus were feeding and causing possible yield losses in buckwheat. Field and small plot scale studies were initiated to determine the phenology, species composition and within field distribution of Lygus spp. in buckwheat in Manitoba. As a result of its tendency to flower early and late into the growing season, buckwheat appeared to attract not only first but also second generation adults, resulting in adult densities late in the season that were in excess of earlier nymphal populations on the crop. Adults and nymphs were found throughout the field. Proportionally adults were more likely to be found 20 m from the edge than at the edge of the field; nymphs were equally distributed throughout the field. Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) dominated the population with Lygus borealis (Kelton) comprising <2% of the population. We conclude that Lygus lineolaris is able to complete a single generation on buckwheat and that the life history is similar to that on canola or flax.
Species 1: Heteroptera Miridae Lygus lineolaris
Species 3: Polygonales Polygonaceae Fagopyrum esculentum (buckwheat)
Keywords: buckwheat
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