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Yucca Plant Bug

Halticotoma valida[3]

The yucca plant bug is a tiny native plant bug that feeds on yucca leaves, leaving yellow stippling and black specks.[1][2]

Group
Insect
Order
Hemiptera
Family
Miridae
US records
24 states
Sources
3 cited
Updated
2026-10-16
Yucca plant bug adult and nymph on a stippled yucca leaf with black excrement spots
Yucca plant bug adult and nymph on a stippled yucca leaf with black excrement spots. (c) Mark Richman, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0
On this page
  1. Identification
  2. Look-alikes
  3. Where it lives
  4. Biology
  5. Damage and signs
  6. Health risk
  7. Control
  8. Related profiles
  9. Common questions
  10. Sources

How to identify it

  • Adults are tiny, about 1/8 inch (NC State) to 3/16 inch (Ohio State), with dark navy-blue to black wings and an orange to orange-red head and thorax.[1][2]
  • Nymphs share the color scheme but look redder because their black wing pads don't cover the abdomen.[2]
  • They are skittish, with sharp eyesight, and dart to the base of the blades when approached.[1][2]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Lace bugsYucca plant bugs damage yucca much as lace bugs damage azalea, with stippled, yellowing leaves and dark excrement.[1]

Where it lives

A native of the southwestern US found widely, especially in the South, and north into Ohio.[2]

US map: public records from 24 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

It overwinters as eggs inserted into yucca leaves; eggs hatch in early spring.[1][2]

NC State reports a second generation around the first of June; Ohio State sees at least three overlapping generations, with adults into fall.[1][2]

Damage and signs

  • Feeding causes small yellowish-white spots that merge until leaves yellow and brown, plus black tarry excrement spots.[1][2]
  • Heavy feeding year after year reduces vigor and can kill yuccas; feeding on flower stalks reduces blooms.[2]
  • It feeds on several yucca species and on Dasylirion.[1][2]

Health risk

None to people or pets.[1][2]

Control

Pesticides

Insecticidal soap, spinosad or other labeled products work, but repeat treatment may be needed because eggs in the leaves survive; wait until flowers drop before using a systemic, to protect yucca moths.[1][2]

Common questions

Why are my yucca leaves speckled yellow with black dots?
Yucca plant bugs are the most common cause.[1][2]

Sources

  1. NC State Extension, “Yucca Plant Bug (PDIC Factsheet).” content.ces.ncsu.edu/yucca-plant-bug-1 (accessed 2026-10-16)
  2. Ohio State University Extension (Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine), “Yucky Yucca (Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine).” bygl.osu.edu/node/2370 (accessed 2026-10-16)
  3. iNaturalist, “Halticotoma valida taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/464230 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-16. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.