Bagrada Bug

Pests of Field Crops in Southern Africa

BAGRADA BUG

(Hemiptera/Heteroptera – Pentatomidae)

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Text Box: This smallish stinkbug (Bagrada hilaris) has been regarded as one of the major pests of Brassica crops, although it is not as common now as it once was. Bagrada spp. occur in most places in the world where cabbages are grown. The adults are typical shield-shaped stinkbugs, 4-7 mm long, and coloured mainly black, with a series of orange and yellow markings. They have a tendency to drop off the plants when disturbed. The eggs are barrel-shaped, laid in groups and white to mottled orange in colour. The nymphal stages resemble the adults, although they are rounder, somewhat resembling tiny terrapins, and have more orange spots. TOP

Text Box: Bagrada bugs are found mainly on cabbages, cauliflower and other crucifers such as Brussels sprouts, radish, turnips, as well as cruciferous flowers such as stocks (Matthiola sp.). They have also been recorded on groundnuts and potatoes on occasion. TOP

Text Box: Sap-sucking by these bugs from the leaf veins causes wilting and drying of the leaves, and can result in prevention of the formation of heads and death of young plants, particularly in hot weather. Even when the pests have been controlled, the plants may remain distorted or stunted. TOP

Text Box: The bugs are often seen in characteristic mating pairs, moving around attached end-to-end. The adults lay 100 or more eggs on the foliage or soil. In about a week, these darken in colour and hatch. There are five nymphal instars lasting 2-3 weeks, in which the developing wings become gradually bigger. There are several generations per year. TOP

Text Box: Since populations of Bagrada bugs are often encouraged by the practice of leaving cabbage or other crucifer stumps in the ground after the crop is harvested, clean cultivation and rotation with non-host crops are vital in keeping this pest under control. Should an outbreak occur on a crop, the old faithful contact insecticides such as carbaryl, and dichlorvos have been used successfully to control it, and no doubt there are newer, safer products now available, although care must always be taken to observe harvest intervals. TOP

Back to Cabbage.

Adult Bagrada bug. 4-7mm long.