Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are key pests of soybean, Glycine max (L.), in Mississippi. Historically, yield loss derived from direct feeding by stink bugs has been considered the greatest threat to producers. However, quality reductions resulting from seed infections caused by microorganisms including Phomopsis longicolla are also a concern. Experiments were conducted in 2010 and 2011 to determine if stink bugs are associated with the incidence of P. longicolla in Mississippi soybean production. Data from experiments suggest that stink bugs are capable of transporting P. longicolla between two points. Data further suggest stink bugs and P. longicolla have the potential to cause a yield loss of 20% when combined in soybean. Surveys of commercial fields in Mississippi determined that stink bug damaged seed was more likely to be infested with P. longicolla and other fungi compared to undamaged seed.

Field corn, Zea mays L., is a commonly grown crop in Mississippi. Brown stink bug, Euschistus servus Say, is an insect that can infest field corn. Growers and consultants have expressed concerns of the difficulty in detecting infestations and estimating yield loss potential once damage is found in a field. The results of these experiments showed a relationship between damage severity, plant height, and yield loss. As damage severity increased, plant height and yield were significantly reduced. On a per area basis, yields were reduced when ≥ 10% plants were damaged. Mean plant heights were reduced when ≥ 20% plants were damaged. Results from simulated damage experiments were similar to those of the natural infestation damage; however, target damage severities (damage ratings) were not achieved. Further methodology refinement is needed.

Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted from 2003 to 2006 at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Beaumont and commercial rice fields throughout the Texas Rice Belt with the objectives of characterizing the nature of rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (Fabricius), damage to rice, Oryza sativa L., and developing visual sampling methods and sequential sampling plans. During 2005 and 2006, in greenhouse and field experiments, rice plants were caged and infested with adult or nymph O. pugnax during the heading, milk or soft dough stage. No differences were found in the weight of rough, brown or milled rice infested with O. pugnax during different stages. More peck was found in grain from plants infested during milk and soft dough than heading. Adult O. pugnax caused more peck than nymphs in all stages. In field experiments conducted during 2005 and 2006, single rice panicles were caged at the onset of heading and infested with one male or female O. pugnax for 48 h during the heading, milk, soft or hard dough stage. No differences were found in the weight of rough rice per panicle infested with O. pugnax. No differences were detected in percentage peck caused by male and female O. pugnax. Infestation during all stages of panicle development produced significantly more peck than no infestation In greenhouse experiments conducted during 2004 and 2005, rice plants at the pre-heading, heading, milk and soft dough stages were caged together and infested with male and female O. pugnax. Insects were observed for a period of five days and their preferences recorded. More insects were observed on milk and soft dough than on pre-heading or heading plants.Commercial rice fields throughout the Texas Rice Belt were sampled during 2003 and 2004 and visual sampling methods were compared to the sweep net method of sampling. Analysis of covariance showed that one sweep of the “long stick” or two sweeps of the “sweep stick” compared favorably to 10 sweep net sweeps. Analyses revealed that visual sampling using the long stick is more cost-reliable than sweep net sampling for O. pugnax in Texas rice fields.

Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted from 2003 to 2006 at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Beaumont and commercial rice fields throughout the Texas Rice Belt with the objectives of characterizing the nature of rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (Fabricius), damage to rice, Oryza sativa L., and developing visual sampling methods and sequential sampling plans. During 2005 and 2006, in greenhouse and field experiments, rice plants were caged and infested with adult or nymph O. pugnax during the heading, milk or soft dough stage. No differences were found in the weight of rough, brown or milled rice infested with O. pugnax during different stages. More peck was found in grain from plants infested during milk and soft dough than heading. Adult O. pugnax caused more peck than nymphs in all stages. In field experiments conducted during 2005 and 2006, single rice panicles were caged at the onset of heading and infested with one male or female O. pugnax for 48 h during the heading, milk, soft or hard dough stage. No differences were found in the weight of rough rice per panicle infested with O. pugnax. No differences were detected in percentage peck caused by male and female O. pugnax. Infestation during all stages of panicle development produced significantly more peck than no infestation In greenhouse experiments conducted during 2004 and 2005, rice plants at the pre-heading, heading, milk and soft dough stages were caged together and infested with male and female O. pugnax. Insects were observed for a period of five days and their preferences recorded. More insects were observed on milk and soft dough than on pre-heading or heading plants.Commercial rice fields throughout the Texas Rice Belt were sampled during 2003 and 2004 and visual sampling methods were compared to the sweep net method of sampling. Analysis of covariance showed that one sweep of the “long stick” or two sweeps of the “sweep stick” compared favorably to 10 sweep net sweeps. Analyses revealed that visual sampling using the long stick is more cost-reliable than sweep net sampling for O. pugnax in Texas rice fields.

The stink bugs, (Pentatomidae) harlequin bug (Murgantia histrionica), brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), and southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula) are significant agricultural pests both in the United States and globally. The aggregation or sex pheromones produced by these insects are known to be bisabolene-type sesquiterpenoids; however, the biosynthetic pathways in the formation of these pheromones are unknown. Here we provide evidence that Pentatomidae produce sesquiterpene aggregation pheromones de novo and discuss the evolution of terpene biosynthesis in stink bugs. According to transcriptome analyses, the investigated stink bug species express at least two isoprenyl diphosphate synthases (IDSs), one of which makes (E,E)-farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) as the general precursor in sesquiterpene synthesis, whereas other IDS-type proteins function as terpene synthases (TPSs) generating intermediates in sesquiterpene pheromone formation. The TPS genes are expressed in a sex- and tissue-specific manner. Based on phylogenetic analysis, these IDS-type TPSs arose from trans-IDS progenitors in divergence from bona fide IDS proteins. Compared to microbes and plants, the evolution of TPS function from IDS progenitors in insects appears to have occurred more recently. The discovery of TPS genes in stink bugs provides valuable insight into pentatomid and insect terpene biosynthesis. Moreover, the identified genes may be used in developing alternative management strategies for stink bug pests. / PHD

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Stål), has resulted in increased use of insecticides on horticultural crops in the Mid-Atlantic US, which has diminished integrated pest management (IPM) programs that worked well otherwise. The research herein explored the use of three new tools in the development of BMSB management strategies. In one study, a BMSB pheromone lure was placed on insecticide-incorporated mesh netting to be used in an attract-and-kill strategy to protect bell peppers. The pheromone and netting deployed within a pepper field resulted in more BMSB feeding on plants within 6.1 m to the attract-and-kill screen than in further peppers or peppers in the weekly insecticide treatment. In another study, the insecticidal netting used as a row cover reduced stink bug damage to peppers, but also caused significant yield losses, possibly due to lack of light and/or pollination. The BMSB pheromone lure was also utilized in a sticky trap-based action threshold for insecticide application decisions. The trap and lure predicted densities of bugs on pepper plants and the use of an action threshold of 5 bugs per trap per week to trigger an insecticide spray reduced insecticide applications by 50% at one location, however population densities were lower at the other two locations and significance was not found among treatments. Lastly, BMSB is a nuisance pest to homeowners so we tested the exclusion efficacy of repellents on overwintering shelters and found an 8-fold reduction in BMSB that entered shelters treated with geranyl cyclopentanone (apritone). The use of BMSB pheromones paired with insecticide netting for attract-and-kill of BMSB, the development of action thresholds using captures in pheromone-baited sticky cards, and the use of apritone as a repellent are all promising IPM strategies worth refining in future studies. / MSLFS / The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) has become a serious household nuisance and agricultural pest in the US. BMSB feeds on and damages a large variety of crops including, fruits, vegetables, and field crops. Most growers of high value crops have increased their insecticide usage to battle this bug; thus, more sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) approaches need to be established. One main vegetable crop that BMSB damages is bell peppers. One study tested the efficacy of an attract-and-kill approach involving a BMSB pheromone lure paired with insecticide-impregnated mesh netting. When deployed in pepper fields, it was found that BMSB stayed on plants rather than receiving a lethal dose from the netting. Another study tested the netting as a row cover or as a fence between peppers and found that it did little at preventing damage. Furthermore, pepper yields were significantly lower under the row cover treatment. In another study, a clear sticky panel placed on a stake and paired with a BMSB pheromone lure was used to assist in making management decisions based on relative densities of bugs in plots. This can help determine if insecticide applications are needed. Not only is BMSB a pest of agriculture, but it is also a nuisance pest to homeowners when adults seek winter shelter during their fall dispersal period, sometimes entering homes by the thousands. The tactile repellent, geranyl cyclopentanone (apritone), was found to elicit an 8-fold reduction in the number of overwintering BMSB in overwintering shelters.

No description available.

Stink bugs are the most economically important insect pest of soybeans in Mississippi. This study focused on several aspects of stink bug biology and management. One study examined the residual activity of certain insecticides. Rain was shown to reduce residual activity and after three days most insecticides provided very little control of stink bugs. Stink bugs complete at least one generation a year on early season hosts before moving into soybeans. A study of these early season hosts found that rice stink bug was more prevalent on grasses than the other hosts sampled. Brown stink bug was found on all hosts, while other species were not found very frequently. A third study to determine the effects of an automatic insecticide on insect populations in soybeans found that yield was not affected, but stink bug populations later in the year were lowered during the 2011 study.

Edamame (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), also known as vegetable soybean, is primarily grown and consumed in Asia. In recent years, the demand for edamame in the United States has risen due to its health benefits as an alternative, plant-based protein. Due to the lack of domestic production, most edamame is imported from Asia. In an attempt to increase domestic production, research efforts have begun in Virginia and other regions to develop cultivars and best management practices for growing edamame in the mid-Atlantic region. Beginning in 2018, edamame trials examining breeding lines and cultivars were conducted to look at their suitability for this region. These varieties were sampled and evaluated for insect and disease complexes as well as their implications on plant yield and quality. Most of the insects and diseases that were found were very similar to pest complexes commonly found in cultivated soybeans in Virginia. However, due to edamame being marketed as a vegetable, insects and diseases that caused unsightly blemishes or damage to the pods or seeds were most concerning. Multiple insects and diseases were present but some of the most important insects and diseases we observed from 2018-2020 were pod feeding stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), as well as the diseases like purple seed stain, Cercospora kikuchii, and bacterial pustule, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines. From 2019-2021 an integrated pest management study was conducted to determine best management practices for minimizing insecticide applications while applying them at thresholds to control key pests. In three growing seasons, I was able to determine that pesticides can be limited prior to flowering while insecticide inputs will need to be increased after flowering to protect the pods from pests, specifically stink bugs. Additionally, from 2019-2021 insecticide and fungicide field trials were conducted to test different pesticides on their efficacy against pod damaging pests and diseases. The growing seasons between 2019 and 2021 resulted in varying insect and disease pressure that led to inconsistent results. However, insecticides such as cyclaniliprole and sulfoxaflor performed well compared to other treatments. Lastly in 2020-2021, corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea [Boddie], Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), an important soybean pest and most likely a major pest of edamame, was tested for pyrethroid susceptibility and resistance across the state using a bean-dip bioassay. Pyrethroid efficacy to control this pest across Virginia seemed to vary by location and year, however, the bean-dip bioassay proved to be a time-efficient strategy for further monitoring these populations in the coming years. / Doctor of Philosophy / Edamame, also known as vegetable soybean, is primarily grown and consumed in Asia. Due to the lack of domestic production, most edamame is imported from overseas. Edamame trials were conducted in Virginia beginning in 2018, to look at production practices suitable for growing this crop in the region. Scientists observed edamame to document insect and disease complexes as well as their implications on yield and quality. Most of the insects and diseases that were found were very similar to what is known to already occur in soybeans. However, due to edamame being marketed as a vegetable, insects and diseases that left blemishes or damage to the pod were most concerning. Multiple insects and disease were present but some of the most important insects and diseases we observed were pod feeding stink bug species as well as the diseases purple seed stain and bacterial pustule. In 2019-2021 a pest management study was conducted to determine best management practices for minimizing insecticide applications while applying them at thresholds to control key pests. We were able to determine that pesticide usage can be limited prior to flowering while they will need to be increased after flowering to protect the pods. Additionally, in 2019-2021 insecticide and fungicide field trials were conducted to determine the efficacy of materials against pod damaging pests and diseases. The growing seasons between 2019 and 2021 resulted in varying insect and disease pressure, however, several insecticides with reduced ecological impacts out preformed others. Lastly in 2020-2021, corn earworm, a major pest of soybean and presumable of edamame, was tested for pyrethroid susceptibility and resistance across the state using a bean-dip bioassay. Pyrethroid efficacy across Virginia seemed to vary by location and year but the bean dip bioassay method proved to be a time-effective strategy for monitoring the states corn earworm populations against insecticides.

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive agricultural and nuisance pest in the United States and an increasing number of countries abroad. In the absence of other long-term solutions, biological control presents one of the most promising H. halys management options. An adventive population of Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), one of the most effective egg parasitoids of H. halys in their shared native range in Asia, was discovered in the Maryland in 2014 and in Frederick County, VA in 2015. Adventive populations of T. japonicus have also been detected recently in several other states and show strong indications of ongoing range expansion. Despite their importance, the foraging ecology of H. halys and especially of T. japonicus in the USA need further study. Small pyramid traps baited with a low-dose H. halys aggregation pheromone lure and deployed as vertical transects in the canopy of female tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle), male tree of heaven, or hackberry (Celtis occidentalis L.), captured significantly more H. halys adults and nymphs near the top of the canopy than at mid- or lower canopy, regardless of host plant. The majority of H. halys egg masses collected via destructive sampling of felled tree of heaven were from mid-canopy, and the majority of those parasitized by T. japonicus were also from mid-canopy, with no T. japonicus emergence from egg masses collected from the lower canopy. A comparison of sentinel H. halys egg masses and yellow sticky traps deployed as vertical transects in tree of heaven revealed that the majority of T. japonicus detections occurred at mid-canopy and that while both methods proved to be equally effective, yellow sticky traps were more efficient for this purpose. This led to the development of a novel T. japonicus sampling method in which a yellow sticky trap is deployed atop a bamboo pole in the mid-canopy of wild host trees. This method was employed to compare the effect of habitat type on T. japonicus captures in female tree of heaven growing in spatially isolated patches, thin windbreaks, and at the edge of contiguous woodlots. Consistent habitat effects on T. japonicus detections were not found between sampling years, but provided the first documentation of the seasonal activity of T. japonicus in the USA. A study of host plant effects on T. japonicus detection in mid-canopy yellow sticky traps did not reveal consistent host plant effects on captures. These data provide important insights into the foraging ecology of H. halys and T. japonicus in the USA, as well as efficient sampling methods for future studies of T. japonicus. / Doctor of Philosophy / The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive agricultural and nuisance pest from Asia that is widely distributed in the United States and is present in an increasing number of countries abroad. In the absence of other long-term management solutions, biological control via the actions of natural enemies presents a promising brown marmorated stink bug management option. Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), also known as the samurai wasp, is one of the most effective egg parasitoids of brown marmorated stink bug in Asia. Samurai wasp arrived in the USA without deliberate introduction and was first detected in Maryland in 2014 and subsequently in Frederick County, VA in 2015. It has continued to expand its range in the USA and was recently detected in several eastern and western states. Despite their importance, little is known of where brown marmorated stink bug eggs, nymphs, and adults are most likely to be found in wild trees. Even less is known about where samurai wasp is likely to occur within its new range. To address these issues, traps containing a lure to attract brown marmorated stink bug were placed in the upper, middle, and lower canopy of female tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle), male tree of heaven, and hackberry (Celtis occidentalis L.). Significantly more brown marmorated stink bug adults and nymphs were caught in traps near the top of trees than in those at other canopy locations, with no effect of host plant species observed. The majority of brown marmorated stink bug egg masses collected from felled tree of heaven were from the middle of the canopy. The majority of samurai wasps emerged from egg masses collected from the mid-canopy, while none emerged from those collected from the lower canopy. In a comparison of sentinel brown marmorated stink bug egg masses and yellow sticky traps placed in the upper, middle, and lower canopy of tree of heaven, the majority of samurai wasp detections occurred at mid-canopy. Both methods were found to be effective, but yellow sticky traps required less time and effort to use. This led to the development of a new sampling method for samurai wasp, in which a yellow sticky trap was deployed atop a bamboo pole in the mid-canopy of wild host trees. Using this technique, the effect of habitat type on samurai wasp captures was examined, revealing no consistent effects on detections. However, this study provided the first documentation of when samurai wasps are present and most abundant during the spring and summer. A study of host plant effects on samurai wasp captures, also using yellow sticky traps placed in the mid-canopy of trees, did not reveal consistent host plant effects on captures. These data provide important insights into the interactions of brown marmorated stink bug, samurai wasp, and their environment in the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA, as well as an efficient tool with which to study the samurai wasp.