By Jack Wagner

Plant bugs will likely show up in alfalfa again this year. Three you’ll likely see are meadow plant bugs, lygus bugs and alfalfa plant bugs. Do you know which can damage alfalfa?

Meadow plant bugs
As the name suggests, meadow plant bugs are commonly found in grassy areas. One way to distinguish them from other plant bugs is by their long, narrow bodies. Adults are about 1/3 of an inch long and can be yellow to dark brown in color. They exhibit wing polymorphism, meaning that their wings can be either long or short. The nymphs, or immatures, look similar to the adults except smaller and without fully developed wings.

PREFERS GRASSES: The meadow plant bug is distinguished from other plant bugs by its long, narrow body. It primarily feeds on grasses, not alfalfa.

Meadow plant bugs prefer grassy areas that are undisturbed by grazing, such as hay fields and road ditches. They are most abundant along field edges but may travel further into alfalfa fields that contain a mixture of grasses. It is usually unnecessary to manage meadow plant bugs because they primarily feed on grasses and have little to no impact on alfalfa plants. However, grazing or burning heavily infested fields can be effective at reducing their populations.

Lygus bugs
Lygus bugs, also referred to as tarnished plant bugs, include several species that feed on a variety of legumes, including alfalfa. Adult lygus bugs are green to brown in color with a distinct white triangular mark present on their back. They are approximately 1/4 of an inch long and have the end of their bodies bent downward. The nymphs are light green in color and have wing pads present instead of fully developed wings.

Both adults and nymphs feed on the growing points, buds and flowers of alfalfa plants. Alfalfa that is used for forage purposes can usually tolerate feeding; however, stunting can occur if lygus bug populations become high. To scout for lygus bugs, use a 15-inch diameter sweep net and conduct a series of pendulum sweeps throughout the field. Insecticide treatment may be warranted if populations reach 40 or more bugs, nymphs and adults, per 10 sweeps.

Alfalfa plant bug
Alfalfa is a primary host of the alfalfa plant bug, making this insect a pest to watch for. Adults are approximately 3/8 of an inch long and pale green to brown in color. They are nearly twice the size of lygus bugs, although the two can sometimes be confused. The nymphs are small, bright green in color and do not have fully developed wings.

Similar to lygus bugs, alfalfa plant bugs feed on the leaves, buds and flowers of alfalfa plants. This feeding injury can lead to stunting and reduced forage quality of the affected crop. A sweep net can be used to scout for alfalfa plant bugs. Management is recommended when populations reach about 20-30 bugs per 10 pendulum sweeps (this includes nymphs and adults).

ONE TO WATCH: The alfalfa plant bug is one to watch for since alfalfa is the primary host. It is about twice the size of the lygus bug.

For a list of insecticides currently labeled for lygus bugs and alfalfa plant bugs, refer to the 2019 South Dakota Pest Management Guide: Alfalfa and Oilseeds. Check under the products approved for use on tarnished plant bugs. If using an insecticide, please note that it should be applied prior to bloom to minimize non-target impacts on pollinators.

Wagner is a South Dakota State University Extension entomology field specialist from Rapid City. Adam Varenhorst, Amanda Bachmann and Philip Rozeboom, all of SDSU, also contributed to the article.