Damage Caused by Lygus rugulipennis Popp. (Heteroptera, Miridae), to Pinus sylvestris L. Seedlings

The tarnished plant bug (Lygus rugulipennis) and occasionally L. punctatus were found to feed on pine seedlings in central Finland. Both the nymphs and adults of Lygus bugs injured the apical meristem of the seedlings. This led to the death of the apex, and the opening of the lateral buds, resulting in a seedling with multiple leaders. L. rugulipennis may also oviposit on pine seedlings and the development from egg to adult on pine alone is possible. In laboratory experiments it was shown that the main factor in the apical meristem injury is the mechanical damage caused by the bug's stylet. The feeding damage and artificial mechanical damage caused by needles to the apical meristem of pine seedlings resulted in increased numbers of multiple-leader seedlings and reduced shoot length and dry weight of the shoot and root.