Lygus Bugs

Lygus Bugs are very common in the County and throughout Western Canada. They may be present in many fields with varying degrees of infestation.

What are the Risks?

Here in the Peace Region, their main target is canola, but they are also found largely in alfalfa crops. Lygus Bugs feed on canola during the bud stage and from beginning to end of pod filling. Most damage occurs during the podding stage.

Prevention

Lygus Bugs can be a significant pest in canola, but in some instances the numbers found are not necessarily indicative of the damage being done. Proper scouting needs to be done to determine the extent of the infestation. Following are some practices to aid in the control and prevention of these insects:

Scout fields regularly to determine the number of lygus and the extent of the damage being done;
Also watch for beneficial insect predators of Lygus Bugs;
Practice an Integrated Pest Management program to deal with the problem; and
When required, apply a registered insecticide at recommended rates to provide control of the infestation.