Report on Midsouth Regional Plant Bug Efficacy Trial, 2009-2010

A regional trial was conducted in 2009 and 2010 in  the Midsouth to evaluate currently labeled insecticides for control of tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris. Trials were conducted in Arkansas (3), Louisiana (2), Mississippi (2), Missouri and Tennessee. The objectives of the trial were: 1) set a baseline for control of these compounds to measure any changes in the future; 2) establish the need for more and different products for control of tarnished plant bug; and, 3) improve recommendations for economic and effective control of tarnished plant bug for cotton producers in the Midsouth. A minimum of two applications were made at each location with a standard sprayer (8-10 GPA) based on current thresholds. Insect counts, square retention and yield data was taken for each location. Results indicated none of the treatments effectively controlled plant bugs, square retention numbers indicated we lost yield in all treatments. This study points out the need for rotation of insecticide classes to achieve adequate control and the development of new products for control of tarnished plant bug.