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Four-lined plant bug (Poecalocapsus linectus) is a piecing/sucking true bug that can cause unsightly damage to perennials, herbs, woody shrubs and some leafy vegetable plants, but damage is generally cosmetic and no control measures may be necessary. These insects are very small and are usually only discovered because of their tell-tale feeding damage.

Spots where feeding has occurred are small, somewhat circular and uniform with smooth edges. Contributing to the illusion of disease is the fact that these insects are fast moving, frequently dropping to the ground, and hiding under foliage or flying away when disturbed, so they may not be seen on.the plants. A third reason people might think this is a disease is that dead plant tissue may drop out, leaving a shot hole. Many leaf spot diseases also have this symptom.

As the common name suggests, adults of this true bug have four black longitudinal stripes surrounded by yellow to yellow-green on the leathery part of the wing covers. Beyond this, the membranous part of the wings is black. The head and body are a golden yellow with yellow-green legs that have black markings. Antennae are black. Adults are one-quarter inch in length. Nymphs are smaller, wingless, brightly-colored yellow to red, with black spots in rows on the segments of the abdomen. Mouthparts of adults and nymphs are piercing-sucking.

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