Grey cluster bug

Adults are 3-4 mm long, mottled grey-brown-black, and have clear wings folded flat over the back. Nymphs are wingless, with a reddish-brown, pear-shaped body. N. clevelandesis and N. vinitor can be distinguished from each other with a hand lens or microscope. N. vinitor looks smooth, while N. clevelandensis is hairy. 

The Rutherglen bug is common in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and southern Western Australia.

Damage: sunflower: infestation during grain set and grain fill will reduce yield, oil content and oil quality. In seed crops, RGB will reduce germination of seed. Heavy infestations during budding may cause heads to wild and distort. RGB impact is greater in moisture-stressed crops.