Harmfulness of the Tortoise Bug Eurygaster maura (L.) (Heteroptera, Scutelleridae) in Altai Territory

The tortoise bug Eurygaster maura (L.) can cause significant losses of grain in some regions of Russia. In this regard, we studied the topical specificity of Eu. maura and assessed the damage to soft and durum spring wheat caused by this pest in Altai Territory. From 6.2 to 18.2% of spring wheat kernels were found to be damaged by the tortoise bug. Among the studied varieties, soft wheat of Altayskaya 70 variety and durum wheat of Salyut Altaya and Solnechnaya 573 varieties were the least damaged. The punctures made by Eu. maura, similar to those made by Eu. integriceps Put., were mostly located on the dorsum and sides in the lower part of the endosperm, near the germ.