Ash Plant Bug - Tropidosteptes amoenus

Hemiptera (Heteroptera): Miridae

Identification
• Adults of both species are ¹/₈" long and flat on top.
They run and fly readily when disturbed.
• Honeylocust plant bug is green (a); ash plant bug is brown. (b)
• Nymphs are similar to the adults except that they are smaller and cannot fly.

Damage
• Honeylocust plant bugs suck sap from honey-locust leaflets in the spring, causing them to be distorted and fall from the tree when the bugs are numerous. (c)
• Ash plant bugs suck sap from ash leaflets in the spring and summer, causing white spots (stippling) and also leaf distortion when the bugs are numerous. (d)

Management
• Tolerate the damage because the tree’s health is unlikely to be harmed.
• Chemical insecticides are effective.
Other Information
• Honeylocust plant bug eggs are laid in young honey-locust stems and hatch the next spring at bud break.
• Ash plant bugs hatch shortly after bud break in the spring, with a second generation later in the summer.