The Greenbug

Since its introduction into the United States in 1882 the greenbug has become one of the most destructive pests of grain crops. The pest has been recorded as damaging wheat, barley, rye, oats, grain sorghum and other crops.

In some years the greenbug has destroyed 25% of the wheat crop in the southwestern part of the U.S. It has been estimated that each year the greenbug destroys from 1% to 2% of the wheat crop in the world.

Greenbug populations can increase rapidly. A producer or applicator must know how to positively identify this pest and the damage it causes. They must also understand how environmental factors that effect the population dynamics of this pest and thus, involved in control decisions.