An Annotated Listing of Host Plants
of Lygus hesperus Knighe·
2
By D. R. SCOTTs
University of Idaho, SW Idaho Research and Extension Center, Parma 83660
For many years, species of the Mirid genus Lygus
(Hahn) have been known as destructive pests of many
crops. Of these species, L. hesperus Knight is probably
the most important in the western regions of the United
States and Canada. It attacks the reproductive partsbuds, flowers and developing seed-of many crop plants,
as well' as sucking sap from leaves and stems. However,
the attacks on the flowers and seeds are the most important. According to Butler, L. hesperus must feed on
these plant parts, or have a sugar source, for reproduction. Also, Bryan et al. report that, in the laboratory,
the species will reproduce faster when supplied with a
source of animal protein.
I know of no listing of host plants for L. hesperus,
other than partial lists for small geographic areas. Of
these, Shull and Stitt (1949) probably list the most
host plants. Further, many of the reports do not differentiate between the species of Lygus or whether the host
is, or can be presumed to be, satisfactory for reproduction;
e.g., nymphs found on the host.
Lygus hesperus has been reported from more than a
hundred species of plants in 24 families. The following is
not a complete listing of the reports for any single host,
but is representative as to number of reports. Most of
the reports made to the Insect Pest Survey prior to 1950
were never published, except in summarized form. They
are cited here, preceded by an asterisk, by reporter and
year. The host plants are arranged alphabetically by family and by species in the family.
Family Unknown
Seratinia'
(76).
pitcheri
Nutt:
adults
and nymphs
collected
Family Capparidaceae
Cleome spp.: generally abundant on this plant (57).
Family Chenopodiacae
Bassia hyssopifolia Kuntze: (44,81,82); Heavy infestations (61,62); about 8% of all Lygus (62).
Beta vulgaris L.: (54,56,60,74,82), caused economic losses
(28); experiments on damage to seed (19,45,46,47).
Chenopodium album L.: No L. hesperus, all L. desertus
Knight (62), adults and nymphs (75).
C. murale L.: caged colonies (45), good reproduction
(89).
Salsola Kali L.: 2% L. hesperus, others L. elisus van
Duzee and L. desertus (62).
S. pestifer Nelson: (81), adults and nymphs (76).
Spinacia oleracea L.: with L. elisus caused 75% loss of
crop (28).
Family Compositae
Achillea lanulosa Piper: (48).
A ctinea odorata (DC.) Ktze.: (88), good reproduction
(89).
Ambrosia confertiftora Decandolle: (39); Bred on, fed
on leaves and stems (38).
A. dumosa (Gray)
Payne: (38), adults and nymphs
(39).
A. ilicifolia (Gray) Payne: (38,39).
A. psilostachya DC.: (38,39,83).
Artemisia tridentata Nutt.: (83).
A. spp.: abundant on those in bloom (82).
Aster exilis Ell.: breeds on in small numbers (88).
Carduus pycnocePhalus L. : both adults and nymphs (37).
Carthamus tinctorius L.: experiments on effect on seed
yield (20).
Centaurea maculosa Lam.: (8).
C. solstitialis L.: (8).
Chrysanthemum spp.: caused damage under glass (29).
Chrysothamnus nauseosis (Pall.) Britton: (48,83).
C. viscidiftorus (Hook.) Nutt.: (59).
C. spp.: large numbers on those in bloom (82).
Cynara scolymus L.: adult on plant (41), feeding on
leaves (45).
Erigeron canadensis L.: breed on, small numbers (88),
adults mostly hesperus with undetermined nymphs (59).
Franseria acanthicarpa (Hook.) Cov.: (53).
Geraea canescens Torr. and Gray.; good reproduction
(89).
H elianthus annuus L.: (48,59).
Lactuca sativa L.: on leaves of injured plants (5); no
damage, no nymphs produced, mortality high (18).
Parthenium argentatum A. Gray: (10); fair pollinator
(33) ; investigated damage (70).
Rudbeckia hirta L.: adults only (76).
Silybum marianum (L) Gaertner: feeding, no reproduction (36).
Family Convolvulaceae
Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.: adults on foliage (43).
I. purpurea (L.) Roth: (26).
Family Cruciferae
Brassica campestris L.: sweeping (14); in seed fields
(72).
B. oleracea L.: adults on head (5).
B. spp.: (8); sweeping (5); about 50% of adults this
species (59).
Raphanus sativus L.: (12); 10 per sweep in seed crop
(34) ; damage to seed.'
1 Hemiptera:
Miridae.
• Published with the approval of the Director. Idaho Agricul·
tural Experiment Station as paper no. 7669.
• Associate Research Professor of Entomology.
'This lI'eneric name may have been misspelled by Shull (76)
because no Iistini of this lI'enus can be found.
6
19
Scott, D. R. Unpublished data.
ESA
20
Sisymbrium altlSSlmum L.: 50-100 first and second instars per 25 sweeps (41) found on in large numbers.'
S irio L.: Good reproduction (89).
Slanleya pinnal a (Pursh.) Britt.: (53).
Cilrullus lanalus (Thumb.) Mansf.: severly damaging
plants (60).
Cucumis sativus L.: adult on plant (66).
Sesamum indicum L.: (21).
Family Plantaginaceae
Family Polygonaceae
to
Family Gramioae
Agroslis spp.: adults only (7~).
Elymus condensalus Prest: (48).
Chaetochloa viridis (L.) Scribn.: adults only (76).
Hordeum spp.: adults collected, sweeping (5,6).
Orysa sativa L.: (86); sweeping heads (66).
Zea mays L.: adults (14); control required (2); adults
Eriogonum defierum Torr.: (53).
E. inflalum Torr. and Frem.: (53).
E. nodosum Small: (53).
Fayopyrum eseulentum Moench: heavy population, reproduced.'
Polygonllm argyrocoleon Steud.: good reproduction (89).
P. aviculare L.: adults and nymphs (76).
Rumex crisflis L.: (89); adults and nymphs (76).
Rumer salicifolius Weinm.: (53).
Family Rosaceae
only (76).
Chamaebatiaria millefolium
Family Labiata
Menlha piperita L.: comprised about 40% of Lygus
(59).
Family Leguminosae
Arachis hypogaea L.: adults only.'
Glycine mlU' (L.) Merr.: (30).
Lupinus spp.: (48).
M edicago sativa L.: (1,2,22,24,52,58,76,77,78,79,80,81,84);
needs sugar or honeydew to reproduce when alfalfa in
vegetative phase only (11).
Melilolus albus Desr.: adults and nymphs (76).
M. indica All.: (88); maintained nymphs (4).
M. officinalis (L.) Lam.: adults and nymphs (76).
M. spp.: sweeping (68) ; about 67% of Lygus (59).
Onobrychio viriaefolia Scop.: high populations (69).
Phaseolus lunatus L.: (30,31); damaged (16); adult on
leaf (66).
P. vulgaris L.: (30) ; adults, nymphs, eggs (76).
Pisum sativum L.: abundant after alfalfa cut (56) ; abundant, feeding on blossoms (55).
Trifolium hybridllm L. : both adults and nymphs.'
T. incarnatum L. : both adults and nymphs.'
T. pratensc L.: (1,2); nymphs predominate (35); adults
and nymphs (76).
predominate
Vigna sinensis (Tomer)
Savi: (63).
(35);
adults
and
Family Liliaceae
Asparagus
officinalis L.: adults on green foliage (5).
L.: (86);
adults on foliage (67).
Family Magnoliaceae
Magnolia grandifiora
plant (61).
L.:
oviposited,
Family Malvaceae
Gossypium barbadense L.: (32).
G. hirsutum L.: (23,50,51,65,85).
Family Moraceae
Ficus carica L.: (66).
hatched,
damaged
(Torrey)
Maximowicz:
(48).
Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Duchesne X F. virginiana
Duchesne: causes fruit deformity (4) j damaging (56).
Malus sylveslris Mill. : caused extensive bud damage (40).
Prunus armeniaca L.: (25,26); caused catfacing (49).
P. persiea (L.) Batsch:
(26,27,64); cause catfacing
(49,85).
Pyrus communis L.: caused extensive bud damage (40).
Family Salicaceae
Alnus spp.: adult on catkin (6).
Populus Irichocarpa Torrey and Gray: (48).
Salix goodingii Ball: (53).
Family Scrophulariaceae
Linaria dalmatica (L.) Mill.: (8).
L. vulgaris Hill.: (8).
Verbascum thapsus L.: (48).
Family Solanaceae
Capsicum annuum L.: adults on plants (14).
Lyeopersieum esculentum Mill.: damaging to plants (3).
Solanum eleagnifolium Cav.: primary host (92).
S. melongena L.: adults on leaves (14).
S. nigrum L.: adults and nymphs (76).
S. tuberosum L.: damaging (3,54,55,56) ; comprised about
half of the Lygus (58); adults and nymphs (67); no
nymphs (76).
Family Tamariceae
Tamarix pentendra Pall.:
Family Linaceae
Linum usitatissimum
1977
Family Pedaliaceae
Plantago major L.: adults and nymphs (76).
Family Cucurbitaceae
T. repens L.: nymphs
nymphs (76).
Vol. 23, no. 1
BULLETIN
(53).
Family Umbelliferae
Anethum graveolens L.: (74); 10-20 per sweep (90).
Apium graveolens L.: adults on foliage (67).
Berula ereeta (Huds.) Cov.: (53).
Daucus carota L.: (7,14,71,73,74,91); damaging (19,75) ;
adults and nymphs (76).
Pastinaea sativa L.: no damage, mortality high.'
Family Urticaceae
Urtica holoserieea Nutt.: about 7% of lygus (59).
Vol. 23, no. 1 1977
ESA
BULLETIN
REFERENCES CITED
I. Anon. 1953. C.E.I.R. 3: 698.
2. 1953. Ibid. 3: 797.
3. 1954. Ibid. 4: 1050.
4. Allen, W. W. and S. E. Gaede. 1963. The relationship
of Iygus bugs and thrips to fruit deformity in
strawberries. J. Econ. Entomol. 56: 823-5.
5. *Anderson, C. G. 1943. Insect Pest Survey.
6. *1945. Ibid.
7. Arnott, D. A. 1956. Some factors reducing carrot-seed
yields in British Columbia. Proc. Entomol. Soc.
Brit. Col. 52: 27-30.
8. Barr, W. F. 1969. A study of insects that feed on
rangeland weeds of foreign origin in the state of
Idaho. Final Rpt; Univ. of ID-USDA Contract
12-13-100-776(33): 65 pp..
9. Bryan, D. E., C. E. Jackson, R. L Carranza and E. G.
Neeman. 1976. Lygus hesperus: production and
development in the laboratory. J. Econ. Entomol.
69: 127-9.
10. *Buchanan, W. P. 1943. Insect Pest Survey.
11. Buder, G. D., Jr. 1968. Sugar for the survival of
Lygus hesperus on alfalfa. J. Econ. Entomol. 61:
854-5.
12. *Byers, D. H. 1943. Insect Pest Survey.
13. *1944. Ibid.
14. *Cameron, A. D. 1943. Ibid.
15. *1944. Ibid.
16. Campbell. 1954. c.E.I.R. 4: 938.
17. Carlson, E. C. 1956. Lygus bug injury and control on
carrot seed in northern California. J. Econ. Entomol. 49: 689-96.
18. 1959. The effect of Iygus and hyaline grass bugs on
lettuce seed production. Ibid. 52: 242-4.
19. 1960. New insecticides for Iygus control on vegetable
seed crops. Ibid. 53: 767-71.
20. 1964. Damage to safflower plants by thrips and Iygus
bugs and a study of their contro\. Ibid. 57: 140-5.
21. 1967. Insect damage to sesame and control possibilities. Cal. Agr. 21: 14-5.
22. Carlson, J. W. 1940. Lygus bug damage to alfalfa in
relation to seed production. J. Agr. Res. 61: 791-815.
23. Cassidy, T. P. and T. C. Barber. 1938. Hemipterous
cotton insects of Arizona and their economic importance and control. USDA Bur. Entomol. PI.
Quart. E-439: 14 pp.
24. *Cassidy, Barber, et aI. 1936. Insect Pest Survey.
25. *Christenson, L D. and D. D. Jessen. 1940. Ibid.
26. *Christenson, L D., et al. 1940. Ibid.
27. Dailey, E. F. 1958. C.E.I.R. 8: 266.
28. 1958. Ibid. 8: 267.
29. *Downs, W. 1929. Insect Pest Survey.
30. Elmore, J. C. 1955. The nature of Iygus bug injury to
lima beans. J. Econ. Entomol. 48: 148-51.
31. 1960. C.E.I.R. 10: 681.
32. Fye, R. E. 1971. Temperature in the plant parts of
short-staple cotton. J. Econ. Entomol. 64: 1432-5.
33. Gardner, E. J. 1947. Insect pollination in guayule,
Parthenium argentatum Gray. J. Amer. Soc. Agron.
39: 224-33.
34. Gittins, A. R. 1956. C.E.I.R. 6: 729.
35. 1958. Ibid. 8: 533.
36. Goeden, R. D. 1971. The phytophagous insect fauna
of milk thistle in southern California. J. Econ. Entomol. 64: 1101-4.
37. 1974. Comparative survey of insect fauna of Italian
thistle, Carduus pycnocepha/us, in southern Cali-
21
fornia and southern Europe relative to biological
weed control. Envir. Entomol. 3: 464-74.
38. Goeden, R. D. and D. W. Ricker. 1975. The phytophagous insect fauna of the ragweed, Ambrosia
confertiflora, in southern California. Ibid. 4: 301-6.
39. 1976. The phytophagous insect fauna of the ragweed,
Ambrosia dumosa, in southern California. Ibid. 5:
45-50.
40. Gregorich. 1971. C.E.I.R. 21: 262.
41. *Griswold, G. L. 1943. Insect Pest Survey.
42. Hagel. 1969. C.E.I.R. 19: 308.
43. *Harrison, E. C. 1943. Insect Pest Survey.
44. ·Hess, G. M. 1943. Ibid.
45. *Hi11s,O. A. 1940. Ibid.
46. 1941. Isolation-cage studies of certain Hemipterous
and Homopterous insects on sugar beets grown for
seed. J. Econ. Entomol. 34: 756-60.
47. 1943. Comparative ability of several species of Iygus
and the Say stinkbug to damage sugar beets grown
for seed. J. Agr. Res. 67: 389-94.
48. Horning, D. S., Jr. and W. F. Barr. 1970. Insects of
the Craters of the Moon national monument. ID
Agr. Coil. Misc. Ser. 8: 118 pp.
49. Johanson, C. and D. Brannon. 1955. Insects and related pests of agriculture in Washington. WA Agr.
Exp. Sta. Cir. 274: 22 pp.
50. *Johnston, H. G. 1955. Insect Pest Survey.
51. *1937. Ibid.
52. *Jones, L. S. 1940. Ibid.
53. Knight, H. H. 1968. Taxonomic review: Miridae of
the Nevada test site and the western United States.
Bio. Ser. 9: 191.
54. *Knowlton, G. F. 1937. Insect Pest Survey.
55. *1941. Ibid.
56. *1946. Ibid.
57. *1948. Ibid.
58. 1956. c.E.I.R. 6: 193.
59. 1965. Ibid. 15: 1064.
60. "Knowlton, G. F. and F. C. Harmston. 1939. Insect
Pest Survey.
61. Koehler, C. S. 1963. Lygus hesperus as an economic
insect on Magnolia nursery stock. J. Econ. Entomol.
56: 421-2.
62. Malcolm, D. R. 1953. Host relationship studies of
lygus in south-central Washington. Ibid. 46: 485-8.
63. Middlekauff, W. W. and E. E. Stevenson. 1952. Insect
injury to blackeye bean seeds in central California.
Ibid. 45: 940-6.
64. Moore, J. B. and C. C. Fox. 1941. Lygus injury to
peaches in the Pacific Northwest and its prevention.
Ibid. 34: 99-101.
65. Morrill, A. W. 1918. Insect pests of interest to Arizona cotton growers. AZ Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 87:
186-90.
66. *Osborn, H. T. 1943. Insect Pest Survey.
67. ·1944. Ibid.
68. *1945. Ibid.
69. Pratt, R. 1969. Reported as "Summary 1969 for Insect
Pest Survey." No report in C.E.I.R.
70. Romney, V. E., G. T. York and T. P. Cassidy. 1945.
Effect of Lygus spp. on seed production and growth
of guayule in California. J. Econ. Entomol. 38:
45-50.
71. *Sailer, R. I. 1944. Insect Pest Survey.
72. Scott, D. R. 1957. C.E.I.R. 7: 319.
73. 1960. Ibid. 10: 623.
74. 1961. Ibid. 11: 721.
22
Vol. 23, no. 1 1977
ESA BULLETIN
75. Scott, D. R.t A. J. Walz and H. C. Manis. 1966. The
effect of Lygus spp. on carrot seed production
(Hemiptera:
Miridae).
ID Agr. Exp. Sta. Res.
Bull. 69: 12 pp.
76. Shull, W. E. 1933. An investigation of the Lygus species which are pests of beans (Hemiptera: Miridae).
ID Exp. Sta. Res. Bull. 11: 42 pp.
77. *Smith, E. 1944. Insect Pest Survey.
78. *Smith R. F. and A. N. Michelbachel'. 1942. Ibid.
79. *Snipes, B. T. 1942. Ibid.
80. *Sol'enson, C. J. 1935. Ibid.
81.
*1936. Ibid.
82. *1939. Ibid.
83. 1939. L. hesperus Knight and L. elisus van Duzee in
relation to alfalfa seed production. UT Agr. Exp.
Sta. Bull. 284: 61 pp.
84. *1940. Insect Pest Survey.
85. Sorenson, C. J. and F. H. Gunnell.
1936. Type of
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
injury caused by Iygus bugs (L. hesperus Knight
and L. elisus van D.) to maturing peach fruits. Preliminary studies. UT Acad. Sci. Arts and Letters
Proc. 13: 225-7.
*Stevenson, W. A. and W. Kauffman. 1953. Insect
Pest Survey.
*Stitt, L L 1939. Ibid.
1940. Three species of the genus Lygus and their
relation to alfalfa seed production in southern Arizona and California. USDA Tech. Bull. 741: 19 pp.
1949. Host plant sources of Lygus spp. infesting the
alfalfa seed crop in southern Arizona and southeastern California. J. Econ. Entomol. 42: 93-9.
1973. c.E.I.R. 23: 598.
Walz, A. J. 1954. Ibid. 4: 663.
Wene, G. P. and L. W. Sheets. 1964. White horsenettle or silverleaf nightshade, an important host 01
Iygus bugs. J. Econ. Entomol. 57: 181.
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