Life-table analysis of Lygus bugs (Hemiptera: Miridae) on pulse crops

Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae) -a.k.a. Tarnished plant bug or Lygus bug- is a common pest of various crops throughout North America. As polyphagous, sap-sucking insects, Lygus bugs can injure crops through direct feeding, causing plant deformation and desiccation, and overall reducing crop yield. In recent years, Montana producers reported an increased presence of Lygus bugs in pulse crops. Currently, little is known about the biological and ecological interactions of Lygus on these crops. Thus, this life-table study aimed to evaluate survival and reproductive rate, estimate population growth potential, and compare the performance of Lygus on three different host plants, including dry pea, lentil, and chickpea. Alfalfa, a known host plant, was included as a control. The study was conducted in a greenhouse under controlled conditions. Insects used for the experiments were collected and reared on alfalfa. The experiment included two steps: 1) Nymph development and survival trials, where gravid females were placed on treatment plants for oviposition, and the eggs’ development rate and the survival of nymphs was monitored and recorded until the adult stage, and 2) adult fecundity and survival trials, where adults were paired and mated on treatment plants. The preoviposition period, the number of eggs, the time until the eggs hatched, the percentage of eggs that hatched, and the mortality of the adults were recorded. The results of this study provide insight into the preferences of Lygus for feeding and reproduction in major pulse crops. This information may be used to make informed, sustainable pest management decisions.