Ash Plant Bugs - Tropidosteptes spp.
Solomon, J.D.; Leininger, T.D.; Wilson, A.D.; Anderson, R.L.; Thompson, L.C.; McCracken, F.I. 1993. Ash pests: A guide to major insects, diseases, air pollution injury and chemical injury. Gen. Tech. Rep. SO-96. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 45 p.
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Importance. - Three species of ash plant bugs, Tropidosteptes amoenus Reuter, T. tricolor Van Duzee, and T. cardinalis Uhler, are mainly eastern species occurring west to Texas and the Great Plains; whereas two, T. illitus Van Duzee an T. pacificus Van Duzee, are western species. They suck the juices from buds, leaves, seeds, and shoots, causing distortion and premature shedding.
Identifying the Insects. – Adults are elongate-oval, soft bodied, 3 to 6 mm long, with piercing-sucking mouthparts. They vary in color by species from black and white, to red and black, to light or dark brown. Nymphs are smaller than adults and are wingless.
Identifying the Injury. - Initial injury is caused mainly by the nymphs, which feed on the opening buds and new leaves. Later instars feed on leaves, flowers, and seeds. Concentrated feeding on buds and small expanding leaves causes them to become discolored, distorted, and stunted. Feeding on older leaves causes stippling with black excrement spots.
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Life Cycle; nymphs, adults and injury
James Solomon, USDA Forest Service |
Damage; leaf stippling
James Solomon, USDA Forest Service |
Biology. - Ash plant bugs overwinter as eggs laid in the thin bark of twigs. In the spring, these eggs hatch as the buds are opening. Nymphs feed mostly on the undersides of leaves and take 4 to 5 weeks to reach the adult stage. First generation adults begin the cycle again by laying their eggs mainly on the midribs of leaves. Typically, two broods are produced each year, although T. illitus produces only one.
Control. - Dormant oil sprays have been used during the winter months to kill the eggs. Insecticides can be used to control nymphs and adults in the spring.
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