Bug damage

Tobacco producers are often faced with sudden wilting of newly developed or intermediate leaves (figures 1 and 2). Later on some of these leaves  may become partially yellow and necrotic.
 
In many situations, it is quite easy to find the insect to be blamed, namely bugs or their larvae, because they are clearly visible when present on the upper or lower leaf surface. These insects inject saliva into the leaf tissue causing wilting. The wilting  will be larger and more severe if it  occurs during hot weather. Note that more or less important deformations of the lamina are occasionally observed consecutively to bug bites.
 
The most common harmful bug species differ in size, shape and embellishments. They include Carpocoris verbasci, Carpocoris lunula, Nezara viridula (figure 3), Palomena prasina, Strachia oleracea, Lygus spp. (figures 4-8), ...
 
Note that diagnostic errors are possible, especially confusion with sunscald (i.e. the effects of sunlight on tobacco leaves). In this case, the presence or absence of insects on plants confirms the correct diagnosis. It should be noted that these two problems may occur simultaneously.