The Bagrada bug is a new invasive pest that was found damaging cole crops in the fall of 2009. Native to the old world (Africa, India), the small stink bug was first reported in the U.S. from Orange county, CA in 2008. By August of 2009, the bug was found in Yuma, AZ, and in the Imperial, Coachella and Palo Verde Valleys of CA. Being a new pest, there is much we don't know about its biology and ecology in desert cropping systems. However, based on observation from this past produce season, we know that it can cause significant damage to seedling and transplanted cole crops, but is easy to kill with conventional insecticides. This presentation provides information on the biology and management of bagrada bugs on desert cole crops, based primarily on local observations and research, and to a lesser extent, published information obtained from Africa and India. This information was presented by John Palumbo at the Southwest Ag Summit on March 11, 2010.
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.