Western Plant Bug vs Mountain Seed Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Western Plant Bug | Mountain Seed Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lygus hesperus | Nysius helveticus |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Miridae | Lygaeidae |
| Size | 5-6 mm | 3-5 mm body length |
| Habitat | Farmland | Grasslands |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Western North America | Alps, Central European mountains |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Western Plant Bug
A small, oval plant bug that is one of the most important cotton pests in the western United States. It is variable in color from pale green to dark brown. Feeding on cotton squares causes them to abscise, resulting in yield losses.
Did You Know?
When alfalfa hay is harvested, millions of these bugs take flight simultaneously and can migrate en masse to nearby cotton fields, causing sudden severe damage.
Mountain Seed Bug
A small seed bug found in alpine and subalpine grasslands across Europe. It feeds on seeds and sap of various mountain plants.
Did You Know?
Large swarms sometimes form on mountain summits during warm summer days.