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STRAWBERRY ARTHROPOD PESTS: AN INTRODUCTION 

 TO STRAWBERRY INSECT PEST MANAGEMENT 



Karen I. Hausohild 



Regional Fruit Agent 



Hampden County Extension Office 



West Springfield, MA 



Conpared with other fruit crops grown in the Northeast strawberries have 

 relatively few insect or other arthropod pests. However, at least three of these 

 pests, if uncontrolled, can devastate the crop in any given year. Although 

 chemical controls are most often used, the populations of at least two of these 

 pests can be controlled, to a certain extent, by non-chemical measures. 



The purpose of this article is to acquaint readers with the life histories of 

 and damage caused by the major strawberry arthropod pests found in our area. 

 Chemical control recommendations can be obtained from your county, regional, 

 or State extension personnel. Where appropriate, non-chemical control measures 

 will be outlined. 



Tarnished Plant Bug 



There are two insect species that are the most troublesome on strawberry 

 buds or fruit, the tarnished plant bug and the strawberry bud weevil ("clipper"). 

 Their damage results in direct fruit loss or loss of marketable fruit. The 

 tarnished plant bug ( Lygus lineolaris P. & B.) is an oval-shaped, flattened bug 

 about 1/4 inch long, brown in color, and mottled with irregular blotches of 

 white, yellow, reddish-brown, and black. On the front third of the forewings 

 there is a clear-yellow, triangular area tipped with a black triangular spot. The 

 greenish or yellowish nymphs resemble adults except for their small size and 

 lack of wings. Larger nyrrphs are marked with 4 black spots on the thorax and 

 one on the base of the abdomen. The tarnished plant bug (TPB) has a 3 to 4 

 week life cycle; therefore, three to five generations of this insect can occur in 

 any one season. 



Tarnished plant bugs overwinter as adults in protected areas such as leaf 

 litter, hedgerows, or even in strawberry mulch. They emerge from their 

 overwintering sites early in spring and feed on developing fruit tree buds, 

 weeds, alfalfa, or other crops. Apparently, strawberry is a preferred crop 

 because it initiates growth early in the spring. 



Plant bugs have piercing-sucking mouthparts. As they feed they introduce 

 a toxic saliva into the developing strawberry fruit. This feeding results in 

 misshapen, catfaced berries, which, if abundant, seriously reduce the size and 

 number of marketable fruit. The most critical time for damage appears to be 

 immediately after petal fall, with less damage occurring during full bloom and 

 less to none occurring during the flower bud stage. 



Although the basis for control of this pest is properly timed pesticide 

 applications, there are cultura 1 practices that may help. Good weed control will 

 help eliminate alternate food sources as well as egg-laying sites. Be sure to 



