Lygus bug populations have been high in Manitoba this year, according to the National Sunflower Association of Canada (NSAC) agronomist Troy Turner.

According to the latest newsletter from NSAC, many of the confectionery sunflower acres as well as some oilseed fields have been sprayed once for lygus bug, with high insect pressure prompting a second application in some of the confection fields.

Turner describes some of the damage lygus bugs can cause.

"They'll basically penetrate the seed, leave a brown mark on the seed, and that is something that is not desirable by the processors, and it can also lighten up your seed," Turner says.

Early seeded sunflowers in Manitoba are now into the R6 stage, while sunflowers seeded in the third and fourth week of May are still in the R5 stages at this time.