Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) 219
shaped scorched areas on the leaf surface (Infantino et al. 2007, Palumbo and Natwick 2010, Reed et
al. 2013b). These chlorotic spots eventually may become necrotic and lead to the desiccation and death
of the plant tissue. Depending on the maturity of the plant at the time of feeding, these leaves may
become distorted, resulting in malformations in leaf growth (Infantino et al. 2007, Sachan and Purwar
2007, Palumbo and Natwick 2010, Reed et al. 2013b, Sánchez-Peña 2014). Feeding also results in the
removal of cell sap from plant tissues as reported on numerous brassicaceous host crops (Nyabuga 2008,
Banuelos et al. 2013, Reed et al. 2013b), and non-brassicaceous host crops (Rawat and Singh 1980;
Dharpure 2002a,b; Infantino et al. 2007).
Field observations of injury to cole crops in North America by Bagrada hilaris have suggested that
the bugs feed preferentially on young, tender leaf tissue (Palumbo and Natwick 2010, Reed et al. 2013b,
Sánchez-Peña 2014). Injury to cotyledons can result in rapid plant desiccation and death (Lal and Singh
1993, Makwali et al. 2002, Sachan and Purwar 2007, Hill 2008, Nyabuga 2008). Laboratory studies on
broccoli confirmed that B. hilaris adults feed significantly more on newly emerged terminal leaves than
on older, expanded true leaves (Huang et al. 2014a). There also is evidence that adult feeding differs
between sexes of B. hilaris; females feed for longer durations and cause more feeding injury to broccoli
plants than males (Huang et al. 2013).
3.5.2 Old World
Bagrada hilaris is considered one of the major important pests of oilseed brassica crops (i.e., Indian
mustard, rape, and canola) in the Old World (Sachan and Purwar 2007, Abrol 2009). Oilseed brassica
crops are most susceptible to feeding damage at the seedling stage and at seed maturity/harvest stage
(Sachan and Purwar 2007, Singh et al. 2007, Abrol 2009). Attacks at the seedling stages can cause des-
iccation of terminal growing points, and feeding on foliage during the season can impact plant growth
and maturity (Makwali et al. 2002, Ahuja et al. 2008, Banuelos et al. 2013). B. hilaris will feed readily
FIGURE 3.6 Cosmetic feeding injury of Bagrada hilaris to kale, Yuma, Arizona. (Courtesy of John C. Palumbo).
FIGURE 3.5 Fresh feeding lesions of Bagrada hilaris on a broccoli leaf, Yuma, Arizona. (Courtesy of John C. Palumbo).