In areas of Alabama where the threat of caterpillar pests, particularly tobacco budworms, is great and conserving beneficial insects is critical, it may be more appropriate to change the threshold and tolerate a little more plant bug damage. These conditions usually coincide with areas of the state that have the longest growing season and therefore more time for the plant to compensate for plant bug damage. Nevertheless, caution should be exercised in changing thresholds. Slight adjustments to thresholds can be appropriate for many reasons, but larger adjustments may lead to excessive damage. To determine the level of pinhead square damage, examine a number of pinhead squares located on the first differentiated limb, about 1 inch beneath the terminal.
Damaged squares are yellowish or brown and fall from the plant at the slightest touch.
In blooming cotton in July and August, plant bugs should be controlled when damage levels are at 15 percent dirty blooms or 10 percent damaged bolls. These levels of damage usually equate to at least 100 plant bugs per 100 feet of row, and plant bug nymphs are commonly observed in blooms and squares. Burst or slice bolls open to reveal internal damage. The best way to determine field populations of tarnished plant bugs is to shake plants over a drop cloth at several locations. Shake the plants well, noting any adults that fly away and being careful not to overlook the small nymphs.