How to identify
- Oval bugs about 1/4 inch with bronze/brown mottling and a yellow triangle on the back
- Black-tipped yellow nymphs
- Catfaced fruit and dead growing tips
Damage: Deformed strawberries, beans, and peppers; tip dieback on greens.
Control methods
- Mow weedy borders before bloom so bugs do not migrate into crops.
- Row cover on strawberries until bloom if pressure is high.
- Hand-pick on small plantings early morning.
What products to use
We list product types and what to check on the label — not brand rankings, prices, or “we tested” claims. Always follow the label for your crop, and prefer the least disruptive option that works.
Insecticidal soap or labeled pyrethrin
When: Nymphs active on buds/fruit
Look for: Tarnished plant bug or lygus listed on the crop; adults are tougher