Capsid Bugs - How to control and kill this garden pest. 

Typically, the Capsid Bug attacks young shoots of plants, leaving the growing tip distorted and normally full of small holes. Further damage is caused by the fact that as the Capsid Bug sucks the sap, it also leaves a toxin behind.

Flowers are often affected, with resulting flowers being peppered with small holes or with damage to the edges of flowers from emerging flower buds.

It is more likely that you will notice the damage caused by the insect - rather than the Capsid Bug insect itself. They normally attack in single or small numbers, rather that the typical greenfly onslaught.

Capsid Bug damage on flowers, will be noticed by imperfect flowers emerging from their buds. Often looking a bit frayed at the edges.

Apple Capsid Bugs - which also attack pears - can also cause damage to the fruit as well as the flowers. The fruit may have patches of brown corky skin which crack as the fruit develops. Again, the damage is normally done before you notice the cause.

In the case of Fruit trees, the damage can be prevented by spraying the tree as soon as the petals have dropped - using a spray containing Fenitrothion, Permethrin,  Heptenophos or Dimethoate. A preventative spray of Bifenthrin also helps

If Capsid Bug is a normal or persistent problem, then spraying should be carried out as a matter of routine on new buds of flowers or fruit.

Other signs of damage, will be shot holes in leaves.

Fruit attacked Apples, Pears, Gooseberries, Strawberries, Blackcurrants, Rspberries etc.