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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Southern Insect Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #307239
Title: Tarnished plant bug management in Mississippi

Author
item DOBBINS, CHRIS - Mississippi State University
item GORE, JEFF - Mississippi State University
item COOK, DON - Mississippi State University
item CATCHOT, ANGUS - Mississippi State University
item MUSSER, FRED - Mississippi State University
item Snodgrass, Gordon

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/9/2014
Publication Date: 6/1/2014
Citation: Dobbins, C., Gore, J., Cook, D., Catchot, A., Musser, F., Snodgrass, G.L. 2014. Tarnished plant bug management in Mississippi. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton conferences. New Orleans, LA p.876.

Interpretive Summary: The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), is the most important insect pest of cotton in the Mississippi Delta. Although recent research has demonstrated that several cultural practices can be used in an overall IPM program for tarnished plant bug, insecticides remain the most important component for successful management. Insecticide resistance to the standard insecticides has made control difficult for this insect and newer classes of insecticides have become more important in recent years. In particular, the insect growth regulator, novaluron (Diamond), has been an important component of spray strategies. Additionally, the recent registration of sulfoxaflor (Transform) has added another tool for growers. Research was conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS to investigate the optimum use strategies for these insecticides. For Diamond, applications made immediately prior to first flower provided the best control of tarnished plant bug and resulted in the highest yield. Additionally, Transform provided good control of tarnished plant bug at rates ranging from 1.5 to 2.25 ounces per acre. Based on results from multiple trials, Transform will provide the best control when 1-2 applications are made around first flower with an additional application at peak flower. When used in an overall rotation strategy, both of these insecticides will be an important component of tarnished plant bug IPM in cotton.

Technical Abstract: The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), is the most important insect pest of cotton in the Mississippi Delta. Although recent research has demonstrated that several cultural practices can be used in an overall IPM program for tarnished plant bug, insecticides remain the most important component for successful management. Insecticide resistance to the standard insecticides has made control difficult for this insect and newer classes of insecticides have become more important in recent years. In particular, the insect growth regulator, novaluron (Diamond), has been an important component of spray strategies. Additionally, the recent registration of sulfoxaflor (Transform) has added another tool for growers. Research was conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS to investigate the optimum use strategies for these insecticides. For Diamond, applications made immediately prior to first flower provided the best control of tarnished plant bug and resulted in the highest yield. Additionally, Transform provided good control of tarnished plant bug at rates ranging from 1.5 to 2.25 ounces per acre. Based on results from multiple trials, Transform will provide the best control when 1-2 applications are made around first flower with an additional application at peak flower. When used in an overall rotation strategy, both of these insecticides will be an important component of tarnished plant bug IPM in cotton.