They are very active, taking to flight with the slightest disturbance. As a strawberry pest, the tarnished plant bug often causes considerable loss by feeding on the seeds of the young fruits before the receptacle expands. In feeding, it sucks out plant juices. The damaged seeds cause the receptacle to expand unevenly. Thus, berries that are injured remain small, have a woody texture, and fail to mature.
Berries become knobbed with seeds grouped apically, and are unsalable.
This injury is known as button berry, and is a serious problem in some areas. Later-maturing varieties are more severely affected. If the deformed berry has developed seeds, it probably has sustained plant bug injury. An insecticide application might be necessary if nymphs are present just before bloom. Growers also should sample fruit clusters on a weekly schedule when fruit begins to form.