Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Sidney, Montana » Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory » Agricultural Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #166164
Title: BLACK GRASS BUG (HEMIPTERA: MIRIDAE)DAMAGE TO INTERMEDIATE WHEATGRASS QUALITY

Author
item BLODGETT, SUE - MSU-BOZEMAN
item Lenssen, Andrew
item CASH, S - MSU-BOZEMAN

Submitted to: Journal of Entomological Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/22/2005
Publication Date: 1/1/2006
Citation: Blodgett, S., Lenssen, A.W., Cash, S.D. 2006. Black grass bug (Hemiptera: miridae)damage to intermediate wheatgrass quality. Journal of Entomological Science. 41(1):92-94.

Interpretive Summary: Black grass bug infestation of intermediate wheatgrass causes reduced crop yield. We report that black grass bug infestation also decreases nutritive value of the crop, primarily through reduced intake and digestibility of forage.

Technical Abstract: Black grass bug (Labops hesperius Uhler.) also known as the wheatgrass bug and grass bug, is an important pest of wheatgrass species. Infestations can decrease yield and persistence of wheatgrasses. A rancher near Townsend, MT, USA, observed yellowed foliage and poor productivity of five intermediate wheatgrass (Thinoyron intermedium (Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey) pastures. Feed intake was poor and cattle were losing weight and condition. One hundred leaf blades were randomly selected from each pasture and rated for black grass bug damage based on stippling using a scale of 0 to 5 (0 = no damage and 5 = > 80% of the leaf stippled). Increasing black grass bug damage of intermediate wheatgrass resulted in decreased crude protein and increased neutral and acid detergent fiber concentrations of leaf blades. Producers should monitor intermediate wheatgrass pastures for black grass bug infestations, and when populations are high, use cultural and/or chemical control measures to protect potential forage yield and quality, and grass persistence.