Colour in the older nymphs becomes more variable and is similar to that of the adults. Nymphs develop prominent black dots on the top of the thorax and abdomen. Symptoms of Damage Plant bugs physically damage the plants by puncturing the tissue and sucking plant juices, affecting the strawberry crop in both quality and quantity. Feeding on the flower blossoms and developing fruit causes uneven pollination. Yields are also affected.
Most damage occurs after petal fall.
In extreme cases, up to 85 per cent of the fruit may be damaged. Monitoring Early monitoring of fields is important if damage is to be minimized. It is easily done using a standard, insect sweep net, being sure to sample throughout the field on a regular basis, starting at the bud stage. Growers often sample by tapping the blossom clusters of strawberry plants into shallow trays. However, the adults fly quickly when disturbed and are often unseen.