An IPM Approach to Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus lineolaris) in Cotton

The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris [Palisot de Beauvios], is the most important pest of cotton in the Mid-South. While early season feeding can delay plant maturity and cause deformed plants, most economic damage is caused by feeding from first square (flower bud) to early bloom. During this time, it is a direct pest feeding on squares, flowers, and fruit.  Numerous insecticide applications are needed to control this pest annually. Recent research has shown that multiple agronomic management practices such as planting date, leaf pubescence, and nitrogen rate can impact tarnished plant bug management. The objective of this research was to combine multiple best management practices to determine if we can reduce the reliance on chemical insecticides to manage this pest.