Field Evaluation of Insecticides for Control of Tarnished Plant Bugs in Mississippi, 1995

Insecticides were evaluated at the Plant Science Research Farm, Mississippi State, MS, in a RCB design with 4 replications. Plot size was 2 rows wide by 50 ft long with 4 unsprayed buffer rows between plots. Insecticides were applied on 22 May with a CO2-powered backpack sprayer equipped with a single Spraying Systems TX4 hollow cone nozzle and calibrated for 5 gpa at a pressure of 38 psi and a speed of 4 mph. Carrier of the insecticides was water, with an initial pH of 8.0. Plant bugs were collected the morning of application by sweeping wild flowers with a 15 inch diam sweep net. After plots were sprayed and allowed to dry, fine mesh cloth sleeve cages were placed on each of 2 plants per plot and fastened at the mainstem with a ponytail holder. Ten plant bugs were then placed into each cage. The bags were then fastened at the top with another ponytail holder. Twenty-four h after infestation, ihe plants were cut below the bags and were transported to the lab where mortality data was taken. Insects failing to move when prodded were classified as dead.