Lima beans.

Lygus bugs are spindly legged, small insects, both as nymphs and adults, that move rapidly when disturbed. Adults are 1/4 inch long, brown, flat-topped, with many angular black markings. Nymphs are smaller and greenish, with a few tiny dark spots.

Lygus bugs feed on the blooms of lima beans. Their piercing-sucking mouthparts not only withdraw juices but also inject a toxin. This causes the blooms to blast, reducing yield.

Lygus bugs overwinter as adults. In the spring they feed on overwintering plants. Eggs are laid in late spring and early summer, and nymphs start to appear shortly after. There are two generations of most Lygyus species in Illinois, with three generations of some species in southern Illinois.

Lygus bugs are common on pigweed seed heads, so check them in the vicinity of the bean field. Do not mow the pigweeds near bean bloom because mowing will cause the bugs to migrate to the beans. Use a sweep net to check for bugs in the beans. Five or more bugs per twenty-five sweeps is enough to warrant treatment.

Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
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Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook
The Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook (ICLT) is written for professional applicators and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations as well as application timing information for all major pests of turf, woody ornamentals and herbaceous ornamentals. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "ICLT").
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U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic.
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Services include plant and insect identification, diagnosis of disease, insect, weed and chemical injury (chemical injury on field crops only), nematode assays, and help with nutrient related problems, as well as recommendations involving these diagnoses. Microscopic examinations, laboratory culturing, virus assays, and nematode assays are some of the techniques used in the clinic.
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