Tarnished Plant Bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) on Apple

I. Introduction: Tarnished plant bug (TPB) is covered in more detail in the Peach section. Details specific to apple are included here.

II. Injury: Feeding in apple that occurs before bloom usually results in buds abscising early and is rarely a problem. If feeding occurs after fruit set, fruit deformation will result (Plate 32). Injury usually consists of a discrete dimple, a deeply sunken conical area, in the side of the fruit. In some orchards this is the most important insect damage to fruit at harvest.

III. Monitoring: A white visual trap (Plate 33) is available for monitoring the TPB on apple. These sticky 6x8 inch (15.2x20.3 cm) traps are set out at silver tip and checked weekly. Traps should be placed near the edge of the block, at one per 3-5 acres (1.8-2.4 ha). Hang traps at about 2 feet (0.6 m) in height, from an outer branch. There should be an area of about 12 inch (30 cm) radius cleared of foliage. Ground vegetation nearby is desirable, but it should not obscure the trap. Remove traps at petal fall. Massachusetts research supports an economic injury level of 2.4 adults per trap by tight cluster, or 4.1 per trap through late pink.

This is taken primarily from a chapter by L. A. Hull, D. G. Pfeiffer & D. J. Biddinger on apple direct pests, reprinted with permission from Mid-Atlantic Orchard Monitoring Guide, published by NRAES, 152 Riley-Robb Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853-5701.
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