Severe injury was caused to container-grown Magnolia grandiflora by low numbers of Lygus hesperus in a nursery at Saratoga, California. Injury was caused by the feeding punctures of nymphs and adults in the terminal bud and unfolding leaves. The resultant tattered, distorted foliage became smutted by a fungus developing on the plant exudate which oozed from the damaged areas. Dimethoate spray at a rate of 0.5 lb. active material per 100 gallons was the most satisfactory material used for control of the bugs and for protection of the plants from further injury.