Pacific Pests, Pathogens, Weeds & Pesticides - Online edition

Pacific Pests, Pathogens, Weeds & Pesticides

Bean pod sucking bug (018)

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Photo 1. Riptortus nymphs. Note that the nymphs are ant mimics - they have evolved to appear as ants - presumably this makes potential predators cautious about attacking them.

Photo 2. Riptortus adults and nymphs.

Photo 3. Adult Riptorus pod-sucking bug.

Summary

  • Worldwide distribution. On many kinds of beans. An important pest.
  • Eggs are laid singly on leaves; the ant-like nymphs hatch, moulting to 16-18 mm long dark brown adults.
  • Nymphs and adults use long, needle-like, mouth parts to suck juices from seeds causing pods to turn brown, shrivel and die.
  • Cultural control: do not plant next to older crops where bugs are present; plant Bixa nearby as a trap crop; handpick in early mornings; collect and burn remains of the crop after harvest.
  • Chemical control: sprays PDPs: derris, pyrethrum or chilli; synthetic pyrethroids or malathion.

Common Name

Pod sucking bug

Scientific Name

Riptortus species; there are two species, Riptortus serripes and Riptortus linearis.

Photo 4. Riptortus adult feeding on the seeds of long bean.

Photo 5. Bean pods shrivel and die when attacked by Riptortus, and losses can be high.

Photo 6. Fruit of Bixa, the lipstick tree. Observations on Malaita, Solomon Islands, suggest that Riptortus is attracted to the seeds of this shrub. If proven, it could be used as a companion plant.

AUTHORS Helen Tsatsia & Grahame Jackson
Information from Pod-sucking bug - Riptortus serripes (2010) Insects and Spiders in Brisbane. (http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_coreidbugs/PodSucking.htm); and CABI (2021) Riptortus linearis. Crop Protection Compendium. (https://www.cabi.org/cpc/datasheet/47644); and from Brown bean bug (2020) Business Queensland. Queensland Government. (https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/crop-growing/pests-field-crops/brown-bean-bug). Photos 1&2 Graham Teakle, Canberra, Australia.

Produced with support from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research under project PC/2010/090: Strengthening integrated crop management research in the Pacific Islands in support of sustainable intensification of high-value crop production, implemented by the University of Queensland and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

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