IDENTIFICATION AND EVALUATION OF DAMAGE TO McINTOSH APPLES BY PHYTOPHAGOUS MIRIDS (HEMIPTERA: MIRIDAE) IN SOUTHWESTERN QUEBEC

Abstract

AbstractDamage to apple (cv. McIntosh) by five species of phytophagous mind bugs was characterized by confining numbers of them in sleeve-cages placed on apple-bearing branches. Overwintering adults of Lygus lineolaris (P. de B.) pierced apple buds and flowers early in the spring but did little damage after fruit-set. The damage caused to apples by young nymphs of Lygocoris communis (Knight) and Lygidea mendax Reuter was mostly either deep circular depressions or long sinuous scars. Campylomma verbasci (Meyer) and Heterocordylus malinus Reuter were of little importance in the orchard studied. All species did cause circular depressions (“pits”) in fruit and some damage to leaves.