[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” module_id=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”squiggle-left” _builder_version=”4.24.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” width=”75%” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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Order: Hemiptera
Family: Miridae<\/p>\n
Black grass bugs belong to the order Hemiptera and have piercing-sucking mouthparts. Two species of black grass bug are considered turfgrass pests in Colorado, Lapobs hesperius<\/em> Uhler and Irbisia brachycera<\/em> Uhler.<\/p>\n Mature black grass bugs are about 6.5 mm (\u00bc inch) long. Adults of L. hesperius<\/em> have a lighter band on the outer fringe of the wing covers, while adults of I. brachycera<\/em> are completely black. Females tend to lack fully formed wings, which limits their ability to disperse to new areas. If wings are present the front wings are partially sclerotized.<\/p>\n Immature stages are smaller than adults but similar in appearance.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Quick Facts” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”26px” background_color=”#FEBD3B” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u2022 Black grass bugs have a wide host range. While they prefer feeding on grasses, they can also feed on broadleaf plants when grasses are not available. [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/10\/adult-L.jpg” alt=”adult L. hesperius” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” border_width_all=”4px” border_color_all=”#F15625″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Adult Labops hesperius<\/em>. Note the light coloration on the outer fringe of the wing covers. There are two species of black grass bug that are pests of turfgrass in Colorado, Labops hesperius<\/em> Uhler and Irbisia brachycera<\/em> Uhler. These insects are considered pests of wheatgrass, but they can also attack turfgrass. Cultural control is usually sufficient in managing black grass bug densities. Image credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/10\/Black-grass-bug-in-CO.jpg” alt=”Black grass bug in CO” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Black grass bug (Irbisia sp<\/em>.) on grass in Colorado. Image credit: Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/10\/stippling-injury-caused-by-feeding.jpg” alt=”adult bed bug” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” body_line_height=”1.4em” image_icon_custom_margin=”||-22px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Stippling injury caused by feeding of black grass bugs. Image credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Black grass bugs overwinter as eggs in the stems of grasses. The eggs hatch when grasses begin to grow in the spring; however, the timing of egg hatch is highly dependent on temperature. Egg hatch occurs earlier at higher temperatures and later at lower temperatures. After egg hatch, it typically takes around four or five weeks before adults begin to appear, and a single generation is produced each year. Nymphs develop through five instars before reaching adulthood.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Feeding injury of black grass bugs is typically limited to the edges of fields. Black grass bugs feed on plant fluids with piercing-sucking mouthparts, and they tend to feed on the upper surface of leaves. Within seconds after feeding begins, a white spot starts to form at the feeding site. Feeding of black grass bugs can cause leaves to appear straw-colored, a symptom that is visually comparable to frost damage.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Grass should be inspected for areas of discoloration, especially stippling injury. A sweep net can be used to sample plants for black grass bugs since they tend to drop to the soil when disturbed.<\/p>\n Mowing can help reduce the number of black grass bug eggs and providing lawns with adequate moisture can help plants recover from feeding injury.<\/p>\n Annual management with insecticides is typically not necessary since black grass bug populations take several years to grow to damaging densities. Furthermore, the cultural control recommendations described above tend to be sufficient in managing black grass bugs. However, in lawns previously impacted by black grass bugs, applying certain insecticides during spring emergence can be effective. The insecticides kill adults but do not have any effect on eggs within grass stems, and if enough eggs are present then reinfestation may occur the following year. For more information on chemical management of black grass bugs, consult the Pacific Northwest pest management handbook<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Hammon, R. W., and Peairs, F. B. (n.d.)<\/strong> Black Grass Bugs. Colorado State University \u2013 Extension. Available https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/topic-areas\/insects\/black-grass-bugs-5-575\/<\/a><\/p>\n Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbook. (n.d.).<\/strong>\u00a0Rangeland-Black Grass Bug. Available\u00a0https:\/\/pnwhandbooks.org\/insect\/hay-pasture\/rangeland\/rangeland-black-grass-bug<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2022 Monitoring black grass bugs in the spring is recommended for effective treatment.
\u2022 Feeding injury of black grass bugs is more severe when plants are drought stressed, and when densities of black grass bugs and other pests are high.<\/p>\nLife history and habits<\/h2>\n
Injury<\/h2>\n
Monitoring<\/h2>\n
Cultural control<\/h2>\n
Chemical control<\/h2>\n
References<\/h2>\n