The European tarnished plant bug is one of the most common bug species. It punctures holes in the leaf and feeds on plant sap.
European tarnished plant bug (Lygus rugulipennis). This plant bug is one of the most common bug species. It punctures holes in the leaf and feeds on plant sap. When piercing the leaf, the plant bug leaves behind some poisonous saliva causing deformities of the leaf. The European tarnished plant bug overwinters among fallen leaves and is most active between April and September.
Control
Mist top and bottom leaves with pyrethrum.
Prevention
An insect net prevents infestation by bugs.
Provide a variety of plantings in which natural enemies (birds, predator bugs) feel at home.
In greenhouse crops, plant bugs can cause considerable damage. Insect netting for windows keeps bugs away. Pheromone traps are also available with pheromone attractant for the European tarnished plant bug and the common nettle bug (Heterogaster urticae). The latter sometimes wants to switch from the nettles outside to the crops in the greenhouse.
