False Chinch Bug
Nysius raphanus
Identification
- 1/8 – 1/6 inch long
- grayish brown and slender
- overlapping wings form an “X” shape on the back
- strawlike mouthparts used to suck plant sap
- immatures lack wings and are mottled gray with reddish markings
Nesting Habits
- lay eggs around the base of plants or in loose soil
- aggregate in large numbers on plants or exterior walls
- migrate to new sites, including homes and buildings, when food sources dry up, are harvested (e.g., alfalfa) or are treated with herbicide
Diet
- feed on a wide variety of plants, including turfgrass
Significance
- nuisance pest
- invade buildings to escape hot, dry weather when host plants dry up or are removed
- cannot survive indoors for long
IPM Recommendations
- Temporarily discontinue watering plants near the building during problem migrations to encourage the bugs to seek cool, humid conditions elsewhere.
- Find and seal any exterior cracks to prevent entry.
- Vacuum.
- Control is not needed for small numbers.
- Chemical control is ineffective against false chinch bugs due to chemical resistance.