SEASONAL OCCURRENCE OF THE TARNISHED PLANT BUG, LYGUS LINEOLARIS (HETEROPTERA: MIRIDAE) ON SOYBEAN1

Abstract

The seasonal occurrence of the tarnished plant bug (TPB), Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), on soybean in Arkansas was examined in 1986 and 1987. Peak populations of TPB adults occurred in 1986 in mid-June in the southeast (SE) and mid-July in the southwest (SW) and westcentral (WC) areas. Population peaks in 1987 occurred in late July in the SW and WC areas but rapidly declined during the first week of August. Peaks occurred in each area at different plant growth stages. TPB adults apparently migrate from other plant hosts, probably wild hosts, to soybean for a brief period, after which they move to a more desirable host. Very few TPB nymphs were found relative to the number of samples taken and TPB adults collected.