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How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

| More pests | More crops | About guidelines |

Adult false chinch bug, Nysius raphanus.

Turfgrass

Plant Bugs

Scientific Names:
False chinch bug: Nysius spp.
Weed bug: Arrhyssus crassus
White-marked fleahopper: Spanogonicus albofasciatus

(Reviewed 9/09, updated 9/09)

In this Guideline:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PESTS

Plant bugs are sucking insects. The anterior portion of their forewings is leathery and the posterior portion is membranous. The false chinch bug and weed bug are occasional nuisance pests. Both species are a pale gray color as adults and nymphs and feed on weedy hosts; the false chinch bug is just under 0.25 inch, while the weed bug is just over 0.25 inch. When winter rains permit heavy growth of vegetation, these bug populations build up to large numbers. Later, as the vegetation dries down, the bugs migrate from the wild hosts and invade residential areas, including lawns and houses.

White-marked fleahopper adults are about 0.125 inch long, blackish or grayish, and have white markings on the wings, which are folded over the back. Their long antennae, white markings, larger size, and sucking mouthparts distinguish them from flea beetles. Fleahoppers can be observed by running your hand over the turfgrass or dichondra lawn. If they are present, they will hop about; some will land on the hand or sidewalks where they can be observed more readily.

SUSCEPTIBLE SPECIES

All turfgrass species and dichondra.

DAMAGE

Outbreaks of plant bugs are not common, but when they do occur, they can be damaging to turfgrass. All species of plant bugs feed via sucking mouthparts, so damaging populations can be expected to cause yellowing and stunting of the turf. Turfgrass is sometimes treated to prevent false chinch bugs and weed bugs from migrating into dwellings.

MANAGEMENT

Treat for plant bugs if populations are high enough that damage may occur.

Common name Amount/1000 sq ft** Ag Use
R.E.I.+		 NonAg Use
R.E.I.+
(trade name)   (hours) (hours)
The following materials are listed in approximate order of usefulness in an IPM program, taking into account efficacy and impact on natural enemies and the environment. Not all registered materials are listed. Not all registered pesticides are listed. Always read label of product being used.
 
A. ACEPHATE
  (Orthene Turf, Tree, and 1.2–2.4 oz 24 until dry
  Ornamental Spray)
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1B
  COMMENTS: For use on golf courses and sod farms only. Odorous.
 
B. CARBARYL*
  (Sevin) 80WSP 3.673 oz 12 until dry
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 1A
 
C. BIFENTHRIN
  (Talstar) Label rates — until dry
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 3
  COMMENTS: Not for use on sod farms or in commercial seed production. May cause water quality issues.
         
D. CYFLUTHRIN*
  (Tempo) 20WP 0.2468 oz (7 grams) — until dry
  MODE OF ACTION GROUP NUMBER1: 3
 
** Apply in 25 gal water/1000 sq ft.
* Permit required from county agricultural commissioner for purchase or use.
1 Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action Group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action Group number more than twice per season to help prevent the development of resistance. For example, the organophosphates have a Group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B Group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a Group number other than 1B. Mode of action Group numbers are assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.
+ Restricted entry interval (R.E.I.) is the number of hours (unless otherwise noted) from treatment until the treated area can be safely entered without protective clothing. Agricultural use applies to sod farms and commercial seed production.
— Indicates use is not listed on label.

[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Turfgrass
UC ANR Publication 3365-T
Insects and Mites
M. L. Flint, UC IPM Program, UC Davis
M. A. Harivandi, UC Cooperative Extension, Alameda County
H. K. Kaya, Nematology, UC Davis
Acknowledgment for contributions to Insect and Mites:
J. Hartin, UC Cooperative Extension, San Bernardino County
R. S. Cowles, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Windsor, CT
K. Kido, Entomology, UC Riverside
H. S. Costa, Entomology, UC Riverside
D. D. Giraud, UC Cooperative Extension, Humboldt/Del Norte counties

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Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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