Habits - Very quick moving or darting action when disturbed.
Pupa -
Biology:
Life Cycle:
Most abundant in summer and early autumn.
Habitats:
Origin and History:
Distribution:
Significance:
Pest of Lucerne particularly crops grown for seed. They pierce and suck developing buds and young pods causing bud abortion or seed malformation. Crops may appear to flower weakly, have sudden flower drop with characteristic white aborted buds that appear 1-2 weeks after attack.
Management and Control:
Standard Heliothis and Etiella sprays normally control them.
THRESHOLDS
It is usually worth spraying when 5-7 nymphs are caught per 5 m sweep of an insect net or when a major hatching is seen.
BIOCONTROL
Lynx spiders, Damsel bugs and Big eyed bugs.
Related Species:
Similar Species:
References:
Stanley and Christinat 1995.
Acknowledgments:
Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 for more information.