Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #200858
Title: Field trapping of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, to geometric isomers of methyl 2,4,6 decatrienoate

Author
item Khrimian, Ashot
item SHEARER, P. - RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
item HAMILTOM, G. - RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
item Zhang, Aijun
item Aldrich, Jeffrey

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/22/2007
Publication Date: 1/10/2008
Citation: Khrimian, A., Shearer, P.W., Hamiltom, G.C., Zhang, A., Aldrich, J.R. 2008. Field trapping of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, to geometric isomers of methyl 2,4,6 decatrienoate. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 56(1):197-203

Interpretive Summary: The brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive insect species that has recently become established in northeast U.S. and has the potential to become a serious agricultural pest, since it feeds on many agricultural crops of economic importance. In its native northeast Asia, the bug is reportedly attracted to a chemical released by a different bug, called the brown-winged green bug. We were interested in determining if this chemical could be used for monitoring the spread of the brown marmorated stink bug in the U.S. Insect traps baited with the chemical of the brown-winged green bug were compounds attractive to the brown marmorated stink bug, as were several chemically-modified analogues. These results are of interest to other chemists and entomologist involved in the study of potential pest control compounds, and to State and Federal agencies involved in monitoring and controlling invasive insect pests of agriculture.

Technical Abstract: The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) is a polyphagous pest indigenous to northeastern Asia where it damages various trees, vegetables, and leguminous crops. In its native range H. halys was reportedly attracted to the aggregation pheromone of the brown-winged green bug, Plautia stali, methyl (2E,4E,6Z)-decatrienoate. We found that this compound (as well as other isomeric methyl 2,4,6-decatrienoates) exposed to daylight in solutions and/or on dispensers used for field trapping can rapidly isomerize to form complex mixtures of isomers, thus causing a concern about lure stability and longevity. However, our studies showed that preventing isomerization of methyl (2E,4E,6Z)-decatrienoate in dispensers was not essential for field trapping of H. halys males, females, and nymphs. We also present evidence that traps baited with methyl (2Z,4E,6Z)-decatrienoate and methyl (2E,4Z,6Z)-decatrienoate (pheromone of Thyanta spp. pentatomids), as well as the mixtures of geometric isomers, attract H. halys. The ZEZ isomer, unknown in the nature, as well as the EEZ isomer, elicited electrophysiological responses from antennae of H. halys males. The data suggest that the presence of the EEZ but not ZEZ isomer in the lure is essential for attraction of H. halys, and that other isomers are not antagonistic and may even be needed for maximum attraction. From a practical standpoint, lures containing methyl (2E,4E,6Z)-decatrienoate without protection from daylight are suitable for monitoring populations of H. halys late in the season.