Tarnished plant bug, herbaceous perennials

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IPM Scouting in Herbaceous Perennials

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Tarnished plant bug


Tarnished plant bug adults are 3 to 6 mm long, oval-shaped, and mottled brown with several small black, brown, red or yellow markings on the body. A white or black triangle is typically visible on the front of the abdomen. The antennae and legs are relatively long.

Feeding by tarnished plant bug adults and nymphs causes yellowing of terminal growth, which becomes twisted and distorted. In addition, leaves may appear ragged and discolored. Flowers may fail to develop, or the flower buds may abort. Tarnished plant bug overwinters as an adult.

Management: Remove weeds and plant debris from adjacent areas. Contact insecticides may be applied when nymphs and adults are present.

This information was developed from A Pocket Guide for IPM Scouting in Herbaceous Perennials by Jan Byrne and Raymond A. Cloyd. Purchase this in a pocket-sized guide for reference in the orchard from MSU Extension (publication E-2981).

The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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Updated 8/07/07