Why they are a Pest
These bugs feed on seeds and fruit of hibiscus, cotton and other plants in the malvaceous family eg weed marshmallow.
They could be a threat to rosella and okra plants as these are part of the hibiscus family. They can also cause damage to stone fruit by sucking the sap of young fruit. This can cause the fruit to shrivel up or ooze a sticky liquid resulting in dried discoloured patches on the fruit.
Crops attacked includes figs, cherries, raspberries, apricot peaches and plums
They have a tendency to swarm and are therefore usually present in large numbers.
