Plant Bugs (Heteroptera: Miridae) Development and Damage to

Cotton Crop in Uzbekistan

MUSAYEV DILSHOD1, NAVRUZ SATTOROV2, JAMILA ABDULLAEVA3,

MUSAEVA MAKHLIYO2, SAPAROV ABDIRAHMAN4, BAKHTIYOR KHOLMATOV1,

YUSUPOVA ASIYA5, MEDETOV MAXSETBAY1

Bogishamol, str. 232 B 100125, Tashkent, UZBEKISTAN

Abdirov str.,1, 230101 Nukus,

Abstract: - This article provides information on the types of plant bugs, their damage, and measures to

period (June), the yield of cotton decreases from 61.6% to 88.9%, if there are 30 to 150 plant bugs per 100

cotton plants. If it is infected later (July-August), the yield of cotton decreases from 38.0 to 50.2%. If fine

fiber cotton is damaged by bugs (100-150 specimens per 100 cotton plants) during the vegetation stage, the

cotton yield will decrease by 55.5-65.3% compared to the control variant. The most effective drugs against

plant bugs are: Safegor, 40% (98.3%), Ribo Super, 25% (93.4%), Transform, 50% (92.5%), and Mosetam 20

(82.8-81.9%). Arvilmek 1.8 (active substance- abamectin), Lead, 5% (substance-pymetrozine), Imido Star,

20% (imidacloprid) were found to have unsatisfactory (below 70.0%) results against cotton bugs.

Key-Words: - miridae, cotton bugs, cotton crop, dynamics, agrobiocenosis, population, economic loss,

entomological cage.

average annual loss of 7.7% in crop production in

Brazil alone, corresponding to a total annual

economic loss of approximately US$17.7 billion,

[1].

The Heteroptera, commonly called true bugs,

are one of four suborders in the order Hemiptera.

They are one of the most diverse groups of

hemimetabolous insects, comprising more than

45000 species in 91 families worldwide

belong to the family’s plant bugs (Miridae) and

shield bugs (Pentatomidae), [2].

The plant bugs (Miridae) are the largest family

date, grape, apple, pear, peach, and many other

crops, [4]. Plant bug Apolygus lucorum alone is

held responsible for cotton yield losses of up to

20–30% every year. The main control measures

for Apolygus lucorum in cotton fields in China

include chemical control, cultural control (e.g.,

intercropping with trap crops), physical control

(e.g., light traps and sticky traps), and

biological control (e.g., releasing parasitic wasps

and conserving and utilizing natural enemies).

behavior, including species that are major crop

pests as well as important predators of crop pests,

biological controls for pest control, while some

omnivorous species have been considered both a

pest and an important predator of other pest

species, depending on conditions, [7]. Many

phytophagous mirids are globally important pests

of crops such as cotton, lucerne, soybean,

mungbean, strawberry, sorghum, cocoa, apples

Lygus hesperus, Lygus dessinus, which belong to

the Miridae family of Creontiades and Lygus

geneus cause serious damage to the cotton crop.

As a result, they cause a 30-50% reduction in

cotton yield and up to 80% in common cotton

cultivation areas, [9]. Goodman (1953),

Creontiades pallidus (Rambus) was extensively

distributed throughout the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan

and it was also recorded in Egypt and the Belgian

Congo as a cotton pest. Stamp reported that crop

provinces of the Arabian Sea of India, causing

severe damage to Bt cotton, [11]. As reported by

[12], the mirid bug, C. biseratense incidence on

The Australian cotton industry faces several

problems in fighting against pests. These include

damage from key pests, such as the mirid bug,

Creontiades dilutus. Tarnished plant bug (Lygus

lineolaris) caused significant damage to the cotton

balls in the cotton fields, [14], [15]. Since 2000,

scientists have conducted a lot of research to save

cotton from Creontiades pallidus in south Adana

Province Qukurova Region, Turkey, and south

Sabzevar, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, [16].

Australia, recpectivly. A survey conducted in

Uzbekistan revealed that agricultural crops were

attacked by 19 species of mirids. The predominant

species on cotton included Adelphocoris

lineolatus (Goeze) Adelphocoris jakovlevi

(Reuter), Lygus pratensis (Linnaeus), Lygus

gemellatus (Herrich-schaeffer), Lygus

rugulipennis (Poppius), Orthotylus flavosparsus

(Sahlberg) and Poeciloscytus cognatus (Fieb).

Field trials indicated different losses in seed

has been harming cotton production for the last 10

years, [20], [21]. The analysis of Surkhandarya

region in the 2016–2019 study reveals that up to

60% of the cotton crop was lost in some areas.

Creontiades pallidus spread over 143714 hectares

in 2017 and 78500 hectares of cotton in 2019,

resulting in over 10 billion dollars spent on

controlling against it. Today, the development of

effective methods to control the bioecology and

damage of cotton shedder bug, [22].

The research was conducted in 2020–2022 at the

Scientific Research Institute of Agrotechnology of

Crop Breeding and Breeding in the Surkhandarya

region. Use of an entomological insect net of 38

cm in diameter to determine and distribute cotton

shedder bug in cotton and alfalfa fields. In this

Surkhandarya region accounts for 7% of the

cotton area in Uzbekistan. 85–90% of farms in

Surkhandarya region specialize in growing cotton

and grain. It is no secret that Uzbekistan is one of

the world's leading cotton-growing countries,

producing about 3.3–3.4 million tons of raw

cotton annually. At present, mainly medium-

stapled cotton is cultivated in large areas of the

country, but in the past, the cultivation of fine-

stapled cotton varieties in the southern region -

stapled cotton in the region expands, we have

studied the damage that cotton shedder bugs can

cause to this variety of cotton crop, as well as

chemicals that have high biological effectiveness

in combating it.

The experiments were conducted in the

planted in 90 cm rows. The special entomologic

cages (Fig. 1) are 120 cm X 120 cm X 120 cm and

are installed in cotton rows 2 to 5 cm (total 10

Fig. 1: Special cages set up to study the damage

that bugs do to the cotton crop

The special entomologic cages were surrounded

by a small poor cloth, and a special entry to put

bug inside was placed on one side to examine the

damage. Adult bugs were placed on each bale at a

ratio of 0 (control) 10, 30, 50 (early), and 0

carried out in Surkhandarya, Kashkadarya,

Navoiy, Bukhara, Tashkent, Ferghana regions,

and Karakalpakistan during the years 2020-2022.

The scientific significance of these studies is to

develop effective control measures for cotton

agrobiocenosis, and prevent the spread of harmful

species and damage to other regions.

According to the results, 15 types of bugs were

found in the cotton agrobiocenosis, 6 of which

were phytophagous (Adelphocoris lineolatus,

cotton agrobiocenosis in the regions of our

Fig. 2: Eurystylus bellevoyei, a new species for

Uzbekistan

In our republic Lygus pratensis in the northern

regions, Adelphacoris lineolatus in the central

regions, and Creontiades pallidus (cotton bug) in

Uzbekistan. In the course of our research in 2020,

for the first time, the cotton bug was found at an

altitude of 306 m above sea level in Qorovulbazar

district of Bukhara region at the coordinates

39°33'3,47"С, 64°47'43,12"В and in Kyziltepa

district of Navoi region, it was found to be

distributed at the coordinates 39°33'3,47"С,

64°47'43,12"В at an altitude of 238 m above sea

level. This indicates that the Creontiades pallidus,

which has been spreading widely in Uzbekistan in

Creontiades pallidus, which emerged from the

winter, until the end of the season, in crops other

than weed, alfalfa, and cotton. The obtained

results were scientifically analyzed at the end of

the season. According to the results, in the

conditions of the southern districts of

Surkhandarya region, the migration of the

Creontiades pallidus to the cotton fields from the

weeds scattered around the field (Glycyrrhiza,

Alhagi, Medicago) and from alfalfa and other

larvae of the Creontiades pallidus began to appear

in the second decade of June. The maximum

increase in the number of cotton bugs in cotton

corresponded to the third decade of July and the

first decade of August when its average number

increased to 25-30 per 10 plants. Later, after the

defoliation of cotton in September, the number of

cotton bugs decreased sharply (on average 3-5 per

10 plants) due to unfavorable conditions for the

development of cotton bugs in the cotton fields.

initial appearance of the Creontiades pallidus was

observed from the third decade of June, when

their number was 2-3 per 10 pairs of movements

of the entomological brush. Later, their number in

the cotton was observed to increase, reaching 20-

25 in 10 bushels of cotton at the end of July and

the beginning of August.

In general, the emergence of bugs from

bugs in nature develops. This year, it was

observed that the bugs left wintering early. After

leaving wintering in June 2021, the first

generation of larvae began to emerge in cotton in

July. We made calculations comparing the

number of bugs leaving wintering and the number

of encounters in previous years. It was observed

that the 2022 Creontiades pallidus came out of

wintering early, and its number was large. It can

be seen that 2021 came out of wintering later than

Fig. 5: Development dynamics of Creontiades

pallidus between 2020-2022 y. in the South of

Uzbekistan

does not exceed 1-2 in 10 plants on average. The

main reason for this is that the Adelphocoris

lineolatus is considered an phytophagous insect

and has tropical contact with plants belonging to

the leguminous family. The number of Lygus

protensis in cotton is significantly less than that of

cotton bugs, and only in the northern districts, it is

slightly more common than Adelphocoris

lineolatus.

In the course of our research, we studied the

cotton. According to the obtained results, it was

observed that from the first decade of April, from

the period of wintering, weed bugs were found in

the adult varieties of alfalfa bugs began to be

found in the alfalfa field in very small quantities

(an average of 5-7 pieces).

In early May, the first generation of

herbivorous bugs began to breed en masse around

the fields, ditches, and alfalfa plots. During this

period, the average number of alfalfa bugs was

25-30, field bugs were 8-10. In the southern

districts of the Surkhandarya region, Creontiades

pallidus was observed almost a month earlier than

pairs of movements of the entomological brush

reached 90-100. Unlike Adelphocoris lineolatus,

the maximum number of the Creontiades pallidus

occurred at the end of July and the beginning of

August, and it was 35-40 on average, while the

maximum number of field bugs was found in the

second decade of June, and it was 15-20 on

average. While the number of alfalfa and field

bugs is observed to decrease sharply by the

autumn months, the number of cotton bugs was

to cotton corresponded to the period of formation

of cotton's generative organs, i.e. June. This is the

time when the second generation of bugs in nature

develops. But later, if we observe their

distribution in cotton, we can see that the

Creontiades pallidus develops in more numbers

than other species. Taking this into account, we

have carried out special calculations to study the

ratio of these three species in the cotton field.

Experiments in this regard were conducted in the

entomological comb, and the percentage

differences of all three species were calculated.

According to the obtained results, it was found

about 6.5 million tons of cotton per year, is grown

in China. More than 100 000 farmers work for

this, and it is worth noting that China has been

able to achieve high efficiency in this regard in a

very short time. Today, Uzbekistan ranks sixth in

the world in terms of cotton cultivation, after

China, India, the USA, Pakistan, and Brazil.

Currently, an average of 1.1-1.2 million tons of

cotton is harvested throughout the republic (5-6

million tons were harvested during the USSR).

pests, cotton cultivation is becoming more

complicated. In particular, the impact of harmful

weeds on the yield and quality of cotton is

increasing (Fig.6).

Fig. 6: External and internal views of a cotton

plant affected by Creontiades pallidus.

Determining the possible damage caused by

The research was carried out on 20 hectares of

cotton fields at the Surkhandarya experimental

station of the Scientific Research Institute of

experiments. Tents were installed in two rows

during the formation of the elements of the cotton

crop before the period of migration of the cotton

fields. In all the tents, 5 rows of 10 bunches of

cotton were left in two rows, and they were

surrounded by a net with a small mesh that the

bugs could not penetrate. A special opening and

closing place was left on one side of the tents to

specially insert the handcuffs and monitor the

damage levels of the cotton crop. Cotton crop

to the control option (cages installed without the

plant bugs).

Bugs to Medium Fiber Cotton Variety

(cotton, alfalfa, and field bugs) are distributed in

the proportion of 0.3-0.8-0.5-1.0-1.5 pieces per

bush of cotton (the number of bugs is suitable for

10 cotton bushes), taking into account the spread

over time, we conducted our experiments in

earlier and later periods.

In the experiment, each tent has a special

value, therefore, each tent was numbered and the

classification of the experiment placed inside it

was written down. In the experiments, each option

was carried out in 3 replications, and the plants of

the control option were left clean (without pests).

During the season, every ten days, the appearance

of crops, damage, spillage, and the opening of

pods were calculated, and the biological

productivity was concluded.

In the first experiment of the first option

conducted in the ratio of 1:1 (10 specimens of

bugs per 10 cotton plants) of alfalfa and field

bugs, there was a decrease of 69.9% of cotton

bolls and flowers, and - 41.2% of cotton bolls

compared to the control options. The second

option for alfalfa bugs, i.e., in experiments with

15 bugs for 10 cotton plants, it was found that the

number of cotton stalks and flowers decreased by

82.2%, and the number of bolls decreased by -

was -10.8 c/ha or -36.4% less compared to the

obtained yield. The same experiment was carried

out simultaneously in the field bugs. In 1:1 ratio

experiments of field bugs, it was observed that

there was a -80.8% reduction of bolls and flowers,

and a -2.6% reduction of cotton bolls compared to

the control options.

The second option for field bugs, i.e., in

experiments with a cotton ratio of 1:1.5, the cotton

grew by +12.5 cm compared to the control, the

1:1.5 ratio experiment it was determined that the

yield was -4.0 c/ha or - 13.5% less than the yield

obtained from the control variants.

In the conditions of the Surkhandarya region,

in the cotton agrocenoses, the spread of the cotton

bugs in comparison to other herbivorous plants

and its appearance in different periods in the

northern and southern districts was observed.

Based on the above circumstances, we carried out

the cotton bugs in early and slightly later periods

In an experiment conducted on June 30th of

cotton bugs in the medium-fiber cotton variety at

a ratio of 1:03 (3 bugs per 10 bushels of cotton),

by August 29, compared to the control, it was

observed that the length of the cotton increased by

+14.9 cm, nodes, and flowers -61.6%, bolls -

51.8% compared to the control. At a ratio of 1:08,

the height of cotton increased to +15.2 cm, the

number of nodes and flowers decreased by -

71.2%, and the number of bolls decreased by -

at a ratio of 1:0.3, by -19.8 c/ha (-66.7 %) at a

ratio of 1:0.8 and by -23.2 c/ha (-78.1) at a ratio of

1:1 (until the end of the season), -21.2 c/ha. When

and control system of these plant bugs species to

cotton. It is known that all pests are combated

only when they reach the Economic Injury Level.

In all the old literature available to us, it was

stated by local scientists that it is necessary to

fight against Adelphocoris lineolatus only when

there are 100-150 cotton bolls per 100 cotton

plants, and this was followed. However, in recent

years in the south of our republic, a new species

of plant bugs (Creontiades pallidus) appeared in

Based on old data, agricultural experts used to

bollworms per 100 cotton plants.

lyre by cotton handcuffs were calculated every 10

days against control. Prior to the experiments, the

combs and flowers were made of cotton elements

in each ratio at almost the same rate of 10x10,

10x15, and in the control, respectively, at 6.7-7.2-

7.0, and the cotton stalks at 1.3-1.1-1.0. A sharp

decrease in cotton yield was observed by

handcuffs every 10 days compared to the control.

Two months later, the experimental cotton stalks

and flowers were placed in both ratios at a rate of

Table 2. Effect of the yield of fine-stapled cotton

on a cotton shaft on yield Southern Uzbekistan,

introduction of Bt cotton, [24]. In Australia, the

importance of the green vegetable bug Nezara

viridula L. and the green mirid Creontiades

q/ha), [25], [26].

Suggested a similar approach that 32 Bt and

non-Bt cotton hybrids against mirid bug incidence

was recorded on five squares from the top canopy

of each plant. It was also reported that NCHB-990

recorded the least number of mirid bug (5.30

mirid/5squres) of all hybrids. However, non Bt

hybrid DCH-32 and DHB-105 recorded a high

incidence of mirid bug (11.5-11.2 mirid/5

squares). Whereas, shedding varied, with least

Their studies showed that among nine insecticide

molecules tested for their bio-efficacy against

mirid bug, the seed treatment along with foliar

sprays of imidacloprid 60 FS and thiamethoxam

25 WG @ 0.3 g/l found to be effective and this

was followed by flonicamid 50 WG @ 0.4 g/l,

imidacloprid 60 FS + acetamiprid 20 SP @ 0.3 g/l

and clothianidin 50 WDG @ 0.1 g/l, [22].

Lygus protensis and Adelphocoris lineolatus

were considered the main pests of cotton fields in

republic regions (mainly desert areas) in the

cotton fields, the species Creontiades pallidus,

introduced from neighboring countries, began to

spread widely and cause great damage. Cotton

farmers have been fighting Creontiades pallidus

with chemicals used in other regions to control

Lygus protensis and Adelphocoris lineolatus and

have not achieved the expected positive results.

To determine the cause of the above problem,

we studied the biological effectiveness of several

(Water) per hectare were used for processing

using an OVX-600 tractor sprayer. Calculations

were made on pretreatment and posttreatment

Table 3. Biological efficacy of insecticides against

Creontiades pallidus in cotton plants

bugs is more resistant to drugs than other plant