Oxycarenus hyalinipennis - University of Floridaentnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/Hodges/FL_FD/Documents/Cotton_Seed_bug.pdf · Bangladesh, Cambodia ... Qualitative analysis of potential consequences

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The cottonseed bug (Oxycarenus hyalinipennis) is an important pest of cotton and other crops that belong to the Malvaceae family (mallow family).

As this pest is found in the Caribbean, its (re)introduction through Florida could potentially cause significant damage to the commercial cotton industry should it move into the Southeastern United States.

Information Sources:

Akin. S., G. Lorenz, and G. Studebaker. 2010. Identification of cotton seed bug-A potentially invasive pest to Arkansas. University of Arkansas cooperative extension printing services. Accessed on March 14, 2014.

http://www.uaex.edu/publications/pdf/FSA-7076.pdf

USDA. 2010. Pest Alert Cotton Seed Bug (Oxycarenus hyalinipennis) Program Aid No. 2059. United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection

Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine. Accessed on March 14, 2014http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/plant_health/content/printable_version/cotton_seed_bug_alert.pdf

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http://www.uaex.edu/publications/pdf/FSA-7076.pdf

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/plant_health/content/printable_version/cotton_seed_bug_alert.pdf

Cottonseed bug is native to southern Europe and North Africa. It can now be found in following countries:

Africa:Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Congo Democratic Republic, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

Asia:Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria,Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, and Yemen.

Central America and Caribbean: Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Saint Croix and Saint Thomas, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

Europe: Austria, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Spain

South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay

In 2010, the cottonseed bug was detected on cotton in a residential area on Stock Island in Monroe County (in the Florida Keys). It was immediately targeted for eradication in March 2010, it was declared eradicated from Florida in early 2014.

Information Sources:Derksen, A. I., K. M. Griffiths and L. A. Whilby. 2011. 2010 Florida CAPS Oxycarenus Survey Interim Report. Florida Division of Plant Industry. Accessed on March 17, 2014. http://freshfromflorida.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf_2010_caps_oxycarenus_interim_report_2010-12-14.pdf

FDACS. 2010. New Cotton Pest Identified in Florida Keys. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Press Release, April 23, 2010. Accessed on 03/13/2014

http://southeastfarmpress.com/cotton/new-cotton-pest-found-florida-keys

Halbert, S. E., and Dobbs, T. 2010. Cotton Seed Bug, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Costa): a serious pest of cotton that has become established in the Caribbean Basin. FDACS-Pest Alert DACS-P-01726, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. Accessed on 03/12/2014

http://www.freshfromflorida.com/content/download/23900/486249/oxycarenus-hyalinipennis.pdf



USDA–APHIS. 2010. Cotton seed bug New Pest response Guidelines, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis. USDA–APHIS–PPQ–Emergency and Domestic Programs–Emergency Management, Riverdale, Maryland. Accessed on March 13, 2014.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/emergency/downloads/nprg-cotton_seed_bug.pdf

Whilby, Leroy – FDACS-DPI CAPS program coordinator. Personal communication.

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http://southeastfarmpress.com/cotton/new-cotton-pest-found-florida-keys



The risk map here is based on host availability and climate suitability. Parts of Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and North Carolina are at risk of having this pest become established and doing damage to available crops. It is important to note that while this map is based on climate and host availability, it does not take into account the cash value of the crop to those states, which is why the USDA feels the insect merits the “high risk” category.

This pest has been intercepted 606 times at US ports between 1984 and 2013.

It has been determined by USDA that this bug is a high risk pest due to the suitability of the climate in cotton-producing states of the United States. This bug potentially can complete up to seven generations a year in all cotton producing states.

This non-native pest could potentially find a Malvales host in every U.S. state.

The presence of the pest in the Caribbean Islands increases the potential for future introductions and potential establishment of the exotic organism in the continental U.S. Florida is particularly vulnerable as 24 Lygaeid species have already been introduced from the West Indies.

Information sources:

Holtz, T. 2006. Qualitative analysis of potential consequences associated with the introduction of the cottonseed bug (Oxycarenus hyalinipennis) into the United States. United States Departmentof Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology, Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory.

Molet, T. and L.D. Jackson. 2011. CPHST Pest Datasheet for Oxycarenus hyalinipennis. USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST. Accessed on March 14, 2014.

https://caps.ceris.purdue.edu/webfm_send/939

Slater, J. A., and R. M. Baranowski. 1994. The occurrence of Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Costa) (Hemiptera, Lygaeidae) in the West Indies and new Lygaeidae records for the Turks and Caicos Islands of Providenciales and North Caicos. Florida Entomologist 77: 495-497.



Whilby, Leroy – FDACS-DPI CAPS program coordinator. Personal communication.

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The pest is a seed feeder of more than 35 reported host plants from the Malvaceae family especially cotton (Gossypium spp.), hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.) and okra (Abelmoschus spp). The preferred reproductive host appears to be cotton. It has been reported that O. hyalinipennis could also feed on 10 other families. About 70% of reported host plants occur within the United States. Seeds must be present in order for these bugs to breed.

This pest also attacks other plants from Malvaceae including:Abutilon spp. Althaea spp. Cola sp. Corchorus sp.Dombeya sp. Eriodendron sp.Malva rotundifolia (low mallow)Malvastrum spp. (false mallow)Pavonia spp. (swamp mallow)Phymosia umbellata (Mexican bush mallow)Sida spp. (fanpetals)Sphaeralcea spp. (globe mallow)Sterculia spp. (tropical chestnuts)Thespesia populnea (portia tree)Triumfetta spp. (burbark)Urena lobata (caesarweed)Wissadula amplissima (Big yellow velvet leaf)

It has also been reported from the plants that are not found in Malvaceae including: Asclepias spp. (milkweed)Cydonia spp.Diospyros spp. (Malabar ebony) Eriodendron spp.Ficus carica (fig)Malus spp. (apple)Persea americana (avocado)Phoenix dactylifera (date-palm)Prosopis juliflora (mesquite)Prunus spp. (stonefruit)Pyrus spp. (pear)Ricinus communis (castor beans)Spondias mangiferaVignasinensis (blackeyed pear) V. unguiculata (cowpea)Vitis spp. (grape)Zea mays (corn)

These could just be incidental findings, however.

Information sources:Holtz, T. 2006. Qualitative analysis of potential consequences associated with the introduction of the cottonseed bug (Oxycarenus hyalinipennis) into the United States. United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology, Plant Epidemiology and Risk Analysis Laboratory.

Molet, T. and L.D. Jackson. 2011. CPHST Pest Datasheet for Oxycarenus hyalinipennis. USDA-APHIS-PPQ-CPHST. Accessed on March 14, 2014. https://caps.ceris.purdue.edu/webfm_send/939



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Eggs are oval shaped about 0.28 by 0.95 mm in size. They are longitudinally marked with pale yellow to pink color.

The eggs are laid in the lint, close to the seed. Later in the season, eggs can also be found between the calyx and the base of green bolls or in holes made by boll worms in green bolls.

Each female lays 15-26 eggs, either singly or in groups of 2 to 4.


Halbert, S. E., and Dobbs, T. 2010. Cotton Seed Bug, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Costa): a serious pest of cotton that has become established in the Caribbean Basin. FDACS-Pest Alert DACS-P-01726, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. Accessed on 03/12/2014




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Nymphs have a brownish head and thorax and pinkish to orange abdomen.

There are five nymphal instars. Fifth instar has darker brown head and thorax with distinct wing pads (indicated by the red arrow).

Depending on the weather, it will take 14 to 20 days for cottonseed bug to complete the nymphal stages.

Caribbean populations are brown. In Africa, populations are black in color.






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Adults are generally 3.8 mm to 4.3 mm in length. They are brown to black in color (depending on the continental origin of the populations – Caribbean populations are brown while African populations are black) with translucent white wings. The abdomen of male is rounded while female abdomen is truncate. The second antennal segment is yellowish near the base. Adults aggregate near the bolls and begin to feed as soon as the bolls open. The bugs begin to mate and lay eggs as soon as seeds suitable for nymphal development are available

Once the season is over, the adults will aestivate (enter a period of inactivity) during which time they will not mate or feed. They will switch to feeding on various available host seeds within a season and both adults and nymphs may suck on the leaves or stems or fruit of the host for water as needed.






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Cotton is planted from February to June in the U.S. depending on the weather. Bolls open from July to September. If the cotton seed bug were to become established in the U.S., adult cottonseed bugs would begin to feed as bolls open. They mate within 1-3 days after emergence and each female lays about 25 to 40 eggs on the lint near the seed of the opened boll. Breeding can take place only when ripe or almost ripe seeds are available (estimated to be July to late November in the U.S.).

The eggs are laid singly or in groups. At optimum temperatures (35°C or 95°F), the incubation of the eggs takes place in 4 days. Egg development could take up to 10 days at suboptimal temperatures. Soon after hatching, the nymphs start searching for food and begin to feed on the seeds. They go through five nymphal instars in about 14 days.

The life cycle can be completed in about three weeks, throughout the period of crop ripening. It is estimated that three to seven generations could occur in a year in the USA.

This pest appears to avoid feeding on the vegetative tissue of the host plants. It has been suggested that the bugs avoid feeding on vegetative tissue of hosts prior to see development because their toxic saliva would harm the host plant thus decreasing the hosts’ ability to produce seeds. Instead, apparently they wait for the host to reproduce by diapausing nearby instead of feedingon the plant tissues during this time. This may depend on the time of year and the host availability.

At the end of the season when suitable cotton seeds are no longer available, the bugs leave the cotton field and find a suitableplace (tree trunks, underside of the leaves, crevices etc.) to hibernate. They cluster together during diapause until seeds are available again in warmer months (estimated to be June-July in North America).

Information Sources: Hill, D.S. 1975. Agricultural Insect Pests of the Tropics and their Control. Cambridge University Press . 249 pp.



National Cotton Council of America. Accessed on April 1, 2014. https://www.cotton.org/edu/faq/



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There are no external signs of damage in cotton, though smaller or desiccated seed-pods and seeds may be indicative of an infestation.

The lint will be stained in pink if the insects are crushed while processing the cotton.

Due to the feeding of both adult and nymphs, the seeds could loose up to 15% of weight and seed germination is reduced drastically (up to 88%). The oil quality of the seed also is decreased due to the feeding.

Stored cotton (with seeds) also can be attacked by this bug.

This bug has been reported to be feeding on several fruit trees outside Malvales like dates, figs, avocado and persimmon. The feeding spot produces a greasy secretion and pungent smell.

The bug also has been reported to congregate on the walls of the buildings and emit foul odor. They also seem to be attracted to lights at night.

Information sources:Halbert, S. E., and Dobbs, T. 2010. Cotton Seed Bug, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Costa): a serious pest of cotton that has become established in the Caribbean Basin. FDACS-Pest Alert DACS-P-01726, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry. Accessed on 03/12/2014






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Regular surveys should be conducted in high risk areas. The cotton producing area and areas with wild cotton stands near where the pest is known to have occurred should be surveyed when the hosts are seeding.

Cotton fields near ports of entry also should be surveyed regularly because that is where the escaped bugs likely would be found. Careful inspection of the newly matured bolls and dry seeds should be conducted to locate the bugs.

The following survey method has been developed for scouting cotton plants. Twenty cotton plants should be randomly selected (depending on the size of the field, sub plots could be created). Five open bolls from each plant should be removed and inspected for the presence of cotton seed bug. If the bugs are found, the bolls should be beaten over a white laboratory tray. All insects should be aspirated and placed in 70% alcohol.

However, an alternative method was developed by the Florida Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant industry CAPS team. Open bolls into a Ziploc bag and spray them gently with a little bit of 70% alcohol (isopropyl is ok) from an atomizer (a perfume atomizer purchased at the local dollar store works nicely). Close the bag quickly. The bugs will become very active very quickly when they are irritated by the smell of the alcohol, and you will know right away if there is an infestation. Since this is a quarantine pest in the U.S., do not open the bag, instead freeze the sample and then pick out the bugs.

Surveys of cotton fields when the host plant is not seeding is unlikely to be productive, because the adults might be in diapause away from the host plants during this period. However, wild cotton in Florida produces cotton bolls throughout the year, year, so it should be surveyed whenever open bolls are present.

In addition, the adults may have moved to an alternative host (such as dates, figs, avocado and persimmon) when cotton in not seeding. It is possible that general surveys could pick up cotton seed bug during this period, however since the potential hibernation sites in North America are unknown, it probably is not time-effective to search specifically for cotton seed bugs when no cotton seeds are present.

High density infestations can be very obvious. The bolls that are infested look like they have tiny black or brown bugs running through the cotton.

Local extension office or state plant regulatory officials should be contacted for the proper identification of this pest.

Information Sources:Derksen, A. I., K. M. Griffiths and L. A. Whilby. 2011. 2010 Florida CAPS Oxycarenus Survey Interim Report. Florida Division of Plant Industry. Accessed on March 17, 2014. http://freshfromflorida.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf_2010_caps_oxycarenus_interim_report_2010-12-14.pdf



Smith, T.R.; and J. Brambila. 2008. A major pest of cotton, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Hemiptera: Oxycarenidae), in the Bahamas. Florida Entomologist 91(3): 479 – 482.





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