Sycamore Plant Bug

Pest Description

• adults: ~ 1/4 inch; yellowish brown with whitish wings
• nymphs: smaller, lack wings and are yellowish brown

Host Plants, Diet & Damage

• sycamore and London planetree
• suck sap out of leaves creating necrotic areas
• feeding on young leaves may cause distortion
• heavy feeding causes a tattered appearance in leaves

Biology, Life Cycle & Damaging Life Stage

• overwinter as eggs embedded in tree bark
• eggs hatch in spring when leaves have expanded to about 1 1/2 inches
• nymphs feed on top and bottom of leaves
• individuals are present until mid-summer
• one generation per year
• nymphs and adults are the damaging stages

IPM Recommendations

• Manage trees to improve or maintain health.
• Damage to trees is mostly aesthetic; tolerate pest.
• Spray nymphs with a strong stream of water.
• Apply an insecticide (carbamate; horticultural oil; insecticidal soap; pyrethroid ) about 1 week after budbreak to affected plants.
• Apply a systemic neonicitinoid at budbreak.