Tarnished plant bugs are mostly in the nymphal stage now, with adults still present. Susceptible crops such as celery and lettuce should be monitored for the presence of these insects. Fall generation adults are also beginning to emerge. The late season adults do not feed very much, usually a small amount, and they then enter the soil and shelterbelts to overwinter.
Numbers are low compared to other years but they are capable of laying numerous eggs.
They feed on a wide variety of vegetables including cole crops, many of the oriental vegetables, radish and rutabaga. Larvae have now been detected in cabbage. They are feeding actively and may require control measures. Minnesota is reporting very high levels of parasitism, which may be a reason for our low numbers as well. The rain and high relative humidity over the past week were ideal conditions for the development and spread of diseases.