Blissus occiduus (Hemiptera : Lygaeidae): A chinch bug pest new to buffalograss turf

Blissus occiduus Barber, a relatively small chinch bug characterized by con spicuous wing dimorphism, has emerged as an important insect pest of buffal ograss, Buchloc dactyloides (Nuttall) Engelmann. It completes 2 generations a year on buffalograss in Nebraska. Overwintered adults become active as e arly as mid-March. Depending on the season, Ist-generation nymphs can be pr esent from early May through early August, with Ist-generation adults (up t o 60% macropterous forms) appearing in mid to late June. Second generation nymphs can be present from early July through fall, with End-generation adu lts appearing in late August to early September. These predominately brachy pterous (>95%) adults overwinter in and around the turf area. Blissus occid uus was confirmed to be associated with natural buffalograss pastures, seed ed and vegetatively propagated buffalograss lawns, right-of-ways, cemeterie s, and golf courses in 21 Nebraska counties. Chinch bugs were generally fou nd feeding on the stolons and in the crown area of the buffalograss plant. Initial B. occiduus injury resulted in reddish discoloration of infested pl ant tissues. As feeding progressed, damage appeared as patchy areas in the turf that turned from yellow to straw-brown. At higher infestation levels, chinch bug feeding resulted in severe thinning or death of the buffulograss stand Field studies documented buffalograss as a reproductive host of B. o cciduus, with Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass identified as poten tial hosts. Creeping bentgrass, tall fescue, and zoysiagrass did not appear to be suitable turfgrass hosts for B. occiduus.