The fourlined plant bug is attractively striped in yellow and black, with an orange head.

The fourlined plant bug,  Poecilocapsus lineatus, is a small, attractively colored insect that is active right now. I just received a question and picture of this insect attacking tomatoes in Denton county. Don’t be fooled by its pretty face, though.  This insect has been recorded as a pest from about 250 different plant species, both herbaceous and woody plants. Herbs, mints, and composite flowers seem to be especially favored.

What makes the fourlined plant bug unique is the rather severe damage (see image) that can be caused by relatively few individuals. Its damage is one of the most severe for a leaf-feeding bug of this size, according to USDA scientists who recently reported on the feeding behavior of these insects. They found that the four-lined plant bug’s saliva, produced by unusually large salivary glands, making up 15-20% of the insect’s body weight.  In addition the saliva itself packs a special punch. Special enzymes attack the glue that holds plant cells together, causing pits in the leaves where the cells literally collapse after feeding. Pitted areas eventually turn black or translucent, and may eventually drop out of the leaf, leaving holes that sometimes looks more like a caterpillar than a sap-feeding insect.

Fourlined plant bug damage on tomato. Photo by Janet Laminack.

Damage to shasta daisy from the fourlined plant bug.

Most of the damage seems to be caused by the nymph stage. By the time adults appear much of the damage has been done.

Treatments for fourlined plant bugs include insecticidal soaps, oils or other insecticides labeled for the plant attacked. Soaps and oils will be most effective on the wingless nymphs. Sevin, malathion, and some of the newer pyrethroids, such as cyfluthrin and permethrin, should work well against both nymphs and adults. If a close inspection of the plant reveals no insects, don’t treat.