![]() Most of the chinch bugs in the sampled area will float to the top. ![]() A coffee can, with both ends removed can be forced into the soil through turfgrass thatch and filled with water. When infested host plants die, high numbers of chinch bugs migrate by walking to neighboring lawns or turf areas in search of suitable host plants.Ĭhinch bugs can be collected from infested plants by flotation. Injured plants occur in spots or patches that enlarge as the population increases and spreads. Infestations are usually initially localized because chinch bugs feed inĪ lygaeid, Lygaeus sp. In turfgrass areas, injury typically appears as yellow or dead drought-stressed or heat-stressed spots in the yard, most commonly in July and August. Nymphs and adults use their sucking mouthparts to remove sap from the base (crown) and stolons of plants and inject a toxic substance that prevents the plant from transporting water. Other host plants include Bermudagrass, bahiagrass, centipedegrass and zoysiagrass. Augustine grass is the primary host of the southern chinch bug. Two to five or more generations can occur annually. The entire life cycle can occur in about 6 weeks or longer, depending on temperature. Wingless nymphs hatch from eggs in about two weeks and develop through five stages for about 30 days before becoming adults. Mated females lay eggs singly behind leaf sheaths or in the soil around host plants. During mild winters and probably in southern Texas, all developmental stages may survive. Life Cycle:Adults overwinter in protected places like weeds and grasses, becoming active in the spring. Other common lygaeids are the large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas) and species in the genus Lygaeus. Primarily on the seed heads of sorghum and weed seeds. Large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae). ericae (Schilling) are similar in appearance and habits to chinch bugs, but feed The false chinch bug, Nysius raphanus Howard (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae) and N. Appearance, damage and life history is very similar to that of the southern chinch bug. Nymphs congregate and feed behind the sheaths of leaves. In corn and sorghum fields, injury is most severe in early spring (March) when plants are young and drought stressed. Nymphal and adult stages feed on all parts of host plants. The common chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus leucopterus (Say) also occurs in Texas and has a wide range of host plants, including corn, rice, small grains, sorghum and bunch grasses and turf grasses. As they molt through five growth stages (instars), nymphs gradually change color from red to orange to black and develop wing pads as they develop. Newly hatched nymphs appear orange red with a pale whitish band across their abdomens. Adults appear as either long-winged or short-winged forms. ![]() Photo by Drees.ĭescription: Adult chinch bugs are almost 3/16-inch long, have black bodies and fully developed wings that appear frosty-white except for distinctive triangular black patch-like markings at the middles of the outer margins. (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), nymphs and adults. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |