Honeylocust Plant Bug

Pest Description

• adults: ~ 3/16 inch; pale green; highly mobile
• nymphs: smaller than adults; do not have wings, and have an orange spot on the back
• eggs: oblong and white in color

Host Plants, Diet & Damage

• honeylocust
• feed on sap of honeylocust leaves and buds with straw-like mouthparts
• white stippling on top of leaves; wilting, chlorotic, dwarfing, curling, bent and drying leaves
• dead leaf tissue will fall out of leaves when expanded causing irregular holes in leaves
• heavy damage can kill small branches and inhibit leaf development
• most damage occurs on young foliage in late-May and June

Biology, Life Cycle & Damaging Life Stage

• overwinter as eggs inserted into bark of twigs and branches
• egg hatch begins in May at the time of vegetative budbreak
• mate in late-May or June and lay overwintering eggs
• nymphs and adults disappear in July
• one generation per year
• nymphs and adults are the damaging stages

IPM Recommendations

• Manage trees to improve or maintain health.
• Damage is mostly aesthetic, especially on larger trees.
• Plant resistant cultivars.
• Young or nursery trees may require control.
• Begin monitoring prior to budbreak.
• Apply an insecticide (carbamate; pyrethroid; horticultural oils; insecticidal soap) just after budbreak.