Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Pheromone-Baited Traps Near Crop Field Edges in Georgia, USA

Abstract

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are economic pests of cotton. Our specific objective for this 3 yr study was to use traps baited with Euschistus pheromone to monitor stink bugs in habitats near cotton and peanut field edges in Georgia, USA, before, during, and after crop growth and development. Plant-feeding stink bugs captured in traps included Euschistus servus (Say), E. tristigmus (Say), Chinavia hilaris (Say), Nezara viridula (L.), Hymenarchys nervosa (Say), E. ictericus (L.), Thyanta custator custator (F.), E. quadrator Rolston, Brochymena quadripustulata F., Proxys punctulatus (Palisot), and Oebalus pugnax (F.). Two predatory stink bug species, Podisus maculiventris (Say) and Euthyrhynchus floridanus (L.), also were captured. Euschistus servus was the predominant species captured, followed by E. tristigmus. In both cotton and peanut, traps with a pyramid-shaped base captured significantly more E. servus and E. tristigmus nymphs and adults than traps with a bamboo pole base, suggesting that the pyramid base provides a broader platform for nymphs to crawl into the insect-collecting device at the top of the trap and for adults to land. Euschistus servus, E. tristigmus, C. hilaris, and N. viridula were captured in traps before crop production, during the time stink bugs were detected in peanut and/or cotton, and after crop senescence or harvest at which time some overwintering E. servus and E. tristigmus adults were captured. Sustainable management strategies, including using pheromone-baited traps to capture and kill stink bugs, have the potential to disrupt the cycle of stink bug population growth and dispersal in farmscapes.