According to the responses you entered, this is likely the pest you are dealing with. To confirm this, use the positive identification section.
Photo by Salvador Vitanza
Scientific Name
Nysius raphanus
Biology
False chinch bugs have sucking piercing mouth parts. They can cause significant losses in sorghum because they feed directly on the developing kernels or other parts of the head. After feeding, the damaged seed is more likely to be affected by fungi or other plant diseases.
Positive Identification
These small insects (1/10″ long) look like chinch bugs, but their color ranges from gray to brown. Their entire body is typically the same color.
Other Important Hosts
Wild Mustard
Scouting Tips
Use a beat bucket to detect these insects. Take a bucket and vigorously shake the head into a bucket and estimate the number of false chinch bugs present.
Although we tried to include the most significant pests related to sorghum our tool cannot help you identify every insect found on sorghum. This tool is built to inform you of the most common and significant pests of sorghum in Texas. If the insect you are dealing with does not match the description above then talk to your extension agent or visit this page to look at all the different important potential pest associated with each part and growth stage of sorghum. For management information of a specific pest talk to your local extension office.