Efficacy of foliar insecticides on eggs of nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are important insect pests of crops. Stink bug feeding reduces yields, lowers crop quality, induces delayed maturity, and wounds tissues allowing for pathogen entry. Historically, effective adult and nymph control of stink bugs has been with insecticides. However, little insecticide efficacy against stink bug eggs is known. The objective of this study was to determine how foliar insecticides currently recommend for southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.), control in soybean impact pre-emergence nymphal mortality using an egg dip bioassay. Eight formulate insecticides were tested. Differences in nymphal stink bug pre-emergence mortality were recorded. The lowest instances of stink bug emergence (and highest mortality) were observed in egg masses treated with bifenthrin (78.7%) followed by beta-cyfluthrin + acephate (42.5%) and acephate (40.9%). The highest emergence (and lowest mortality) occurred in egg masses treated with spinosad (10.4%). Results indicate that insecticides used to control stink bug nymphs and adults can impact nymphal pre-emergence mortality and control southern green stink bugs before emergence.