A few years ago we observed damage to cranberries likely caused by an unknown “mirid” bug (Hemiptera: Miridae). These insects are known as true bugs and have piercing-sucking mouthparts to suck out plant juices. The species was identified as Plagiognathus repetitus (Hemiptera: Miridae). The insect seems to damage young leaf and flower buds early in the season (May). In June, we observed deformed leaves and flowers as a result of the feeding damage. This damage appears to cause serious reduction in yield. The damage was likely caused by the nymphs in May-June, as adults were seen in late June-early July. At this time of the year, nymphs are very small- mostly 1^st instars.

Nymph of Plagiognathus repetitus (Hemiptera: Miridae)

We know little about the biology and management of this insect. Mirids can be serious pests of other agricultural crops.  For example, the tarnished plant bug, Lygus spp., is an important pest of cotton causing injury to the flowering buds.  As for Plagiognathus repetitus, Franklin (1950) writes that, in Massachusetts, it overwinters as eggs and the eggs hatch in early June (Franklin H.J. 1950. Cranberry insects in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 445. 88 pp).  In New Jersey, the eggs likely start to hatch in May, so scouting for nymphs should start at this time of the year. Adults were seen in Massachusetts in late June-early July (similar to our observations). The insect is known to occur from Ontario (Canada) to Virginia and is an ericaceous plant specialist. It has been recorded form cranberry, sheep laurel, Vaccinium sp., and related plants. Franklin noted that this insect is rarely seen in high numbers; this was not the case three years ago where we saw high numbers in one farm that had not sprayed broad-spectrum insecticides pre-bloom in several years.

At this time of the year, we recommend growers to scout for this insect. Carefully look for the nymphs in sweep net samples. If needed, use a broad-spectrum insecticide like Diazinon (no aerial applications allowed) or Lorsban (only pre-bloom applications allowed for Ocean Spray growers) for its control.

The following insect pests bear special mention for early-season scouting in cranberry bogs:

Blackheaded fireworm larva

Blackheaded fireworm – Blackheaded fireworm eggs overwinter on the bed and usually hatch by around mid-May. It is important to catch the first generation, if possible, because the second generation occurs during bloom and is typically much more destructive. Blackheaded fireworm larvae can be detected by sweep net sampling and it is a good idea to look along the edges of beds where vines first begin to grow. Remember: blackheaded fireworm is much easier to control if detected during the early part of the season.

Spotted fireworm – overwinters as a 2^nd instar larva. They complete two generations a year. Larvae feed between uprights they have webbed together. First-generation larvae injure the foliage causing it to turn brown as if burned. In New Jersey, first generation adult moths emerge the first week of June, followed by a second-generation of adult emergence in early August. Eggs are laid in masses on weedy hosts. Larvae from second-generation adults emerge in mid-August, and may feed on fruit. Populations of spotted fireworm are regulated by their natural enemies, in particular Trichogramma wasps that parasitize the eggs.

Spotted fireworm larva

Sparganothis fruitworm – This insect is a serious pest in most cranberry-growing states.  Sparganothis fruitworm completes two generations a year and overwinters as an early-instar larva. Larvae from the 1^st generation feed on foliage. In New Jersey, first generation adult moths emerge from mid-June through the first weeks in July; pheromone traps are commonly used to monitor adult flight and population size. Second-generation eggs are laid on cranberry leaves, and larvae will feed on fruit.

Cranberry blossomworm – Adults lay their eggs in October in cranberry beds. The eggs overwinter and hatch over a period of several weeks. Early instars can be found during the first week of May. Larvae go through 6 instars to complete development. Because the first instars feed during the day (and also at night), scouting can be done during the daytime using sweep nets to estimate larval abundance. Larvae turn nocturnal during the later instars. At this time, night sweeping (9 pm – 1 am) is recommended for sampling. Larvae complete their development by June-July. Older instars are very voracious and capable of destroying 100 blossoms within a 3-week period. There is a pre-pupal that lasts until the end of August and a pupal stage that lasts until October. Adults emerge from end of August to end of October.  

Sparganothis fruitworm larva

Lepidopteran Pests Monitoring and Control – Use sweep netting for monitoring early lepidopteran pests (pre-bloom). A sweep set consists of 25 sweeps and 1 sweep set is recommended per acre (this may vary depending the size of bogs). The action threshold for false armyworm, blossomworm, other cutworms, and gypsy moth (we use a combined threshold from adding all these caterpillars per sweep) is an average of 4.5 caterpillars in sets of 25 sweeps. For brown and green spanworms is an average of 18 per sweep set. The action threshold for blackheaded fireworm and Sparganothis fruitworm is an average of 1 to 2 per sweep set. We recommend the use of the reduced-risk materials Intrepid, Altacor, or Delegate if populations exceed action thresholds. These are reduced-risk, softer insecticides that are very effective against lepidopteran pests. More information on these (and other) lepidopteran pests will be provided as the season progresses.

Cranberry blossomworm larva

Leafhoppers –There is concern among New Jersey cranberry growers of a potential increase in leafhopper populations because of recent changes in pest management strategies (e.g., adoption of new reduced-risk products and decreased applications of broad-spectrum insecticides). Blunt-nosed leafhopper is of particular concern because they can transmit cranberry false blossom disease. This leafhopper has one generation a year. Adults are found in highest numbers during July, although nymphs or adults may be found from the end of May until October. Eggs are laid in August-September. The eggs overwinter and hatch in May or June. The nymphs go through 5 instars to complete development.

Blunt-nosed leafhopper nymph

Leafhopper Monitoring and Control: Leafhopper nymphs can be sampled using sweep nets (as described above for lepidopteran pests). Nymphs before bloom are small; thus, you may need to freeze the samples (to kill them), and then count the number of nymphs under a microscope or using a magnifying lens. There is no threshold based on sweep net counts, so decisions should be made based by comparing current numbers with prior infestation history and/or incidence of false blossom disease on those beds.

In cases of high numbers of blunt-nosed leafhopper nymphs, we recommend application of a broad-spectrum insecticide, such as Diazinon (no aerial applications allowed) or Lorsban (only pre-bloom applications allowed for Ocean Spray growers). Broad-spectrum insecticides will disrupt biological control particularly the natural enemies (predators and parasitoids) of Sparganothis fruitworm, so their use should be restricted only to areas of high leafhopper populations.