Bagrada bug (Bagrada hilaris) is an invasive stink bug recently established in the desert Southwest of the U.S. It has become a major economic pest of many cruciferous vegetable crops cultivated in fall and winter in the agricultural valleys of Arizona and southern California. Crop injury caused by Bagrada bug feeding has resulted in major economic losses. Depending on the crop species, Bagrada bugs may cause yield losses of 15-35%. Effective options for controlling Bagrada bug infestations in organic crops are limited, creating a significant challenge for organic growers. The objective of this study was to evaluate selective organic-approved insecticides to identify new tools that organic vegetable producers in the desert can use to manage Bagrada bugs effectively.

This fall growing season, we conducted a field trial to evaluate several organic-approved insecticides against the Bagrada bug in broccoli. The results of our trial show that M-Pede and a tank mix of M-Pede and Entrust can provide approximately a 60% reduction in Bagrada bugs relative to the untreated check. Captiva Prime and Neemix also resulted in a nearly 50% reduction in Bagrada bug numbers. Aza-Direct, Entrust alone, and Botanigard each resulted in about a 30% reduction in Bagrada bugs relative to the untreated check (Fig. 1). Our observations indicate that the insecticides evaluated are unlikely to provide quick knockdown. Tank mix of M-Pede and Entrust, Neemix, and Captiva Prime resulted in 39, 35, and 34% reduction in damage caused by Bagrada bug feeding. Entrust alone and M-Pede resulted in Bagrada bug feeding damage reductions approaching 25% (Fig. 2). Previous research trials conducted in Yuma also show that mixture of Entrust and M-Pede, Entrust alone, Aza-Direct, and Pyganic can fairly suppress the pest (Palumbo 2022).

Figure 1. Number of Bagrada bugs per 10 broccoli plants as affected by biological
insecticide applications, Fall 2025. All insecticide treatments included Nu-Film
P at 1 pt./ac.

Figure 2. Percentage of broccoli plants with damage caused by Bagrada bug
feeding, Fall 2025. All insecticide treatments included Nu-Film P at 1 pt./ac.

Additional Reading Material:
Palumbo, J.C. 2024. Bagrada Bug Management Tips - 2024. Veg IPM Newsletter, Vol. 15, No. 18 University of Arizona, Department of Entomology. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/676902

Keith, M., & Calvin, W. 2025. The Evolution of Bagrada Bug Management in Desert Cole Crops: The Legacy of John C. Palumbo (2010–2025). Veg IPM Newsletter, Vol. 16, No. 21. University of Arizona, Department of Entomology. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/678668