As anticipated, Bagrada bugs have been showing up quite regularly on direct seeded and transplanted cole crops throughout the low desert. Numerous PCAs have reported the presence of adults on transplanted cauliflower and cabbage, as well as in seedling stands of broccoli. Samples taken from cole crops in small experimental blocks at the Yuma Agricultural Center have estimated as many as 20 adults per 15 plants on 4 day old transplanted cabbage, and high levels of seedling damage in 5-day old broccoli stands where adult numbers have averaged as high as 8 adults per 20 seedlings within 30 row ft. Early trial results show that chemigation with bifenthrin (Discipline) at 6 oz/ac provided 100% knockdown of Bagrada bug adults within 12 hours after chemigation in both direct-seeded broccoli and transplanted cabbage. Several trials are being initiated to assess control of Bagrada bugs with both foliar and soil applied insecticides and updates will be provided in the future. For tips on Bagrada bug management, based on field observations over the past year, please go to this link.

To contact John Palumbo go to: jpalumbo@ag.arizona.edu

For questions or comments on any of the topics please contact Marco Pena at the Yuma Agricultural Center.
College of Agriculture, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.