Lygus hesperus Feeding On Maturing Cotton Bolls: Adults Vs. Nymphs

Experiments were conducted to quantify the age of the boll (degree-days from boll formation) that is safe from Lygus hesperus damage. Boll damage assessment based on heat unit-delineated maturity provided a boll-safe cutoff value of 350 HU for L. hesperus, similar to that found for the tarnished plant bug in the Southeast. Preliminary data suggested that late-instar nymphs appeared to inflict greater damage to 7-day old bolls than adults, but both adults and nymphs were similar in their potential to damage bolls that are >7-day old. A relationship between boll penetrability of hardening carpel walls and boll age is being developed.