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Submitted to: Journal of Entomological Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 8/21/2007 Publication Date: 4/1/2008 Citation: Tillman, P.G. 2008. Populations of stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) and their natural enemies in peanuts. Journal of Entomological Science. 43(2):191-207. Interpretive Summary: Stink bugs have increased in importance as pests of cotton over the past several years, but there is no information available on the abundance of stink bugs in several agricultural crops including peanuts. Therefore, the objective of this on-farm study was to determine if peanuts harbor populations of stink bugs and their natural enemies in Georgia. Three species of stink bug pests were found in peanuts over the 4-year study. The predominant stink bug pests were the southern green stink bug and the brown stink bug. The green stink bug was found in relatively low numbers. All development stages of the southern green stink bug and brown stink bug were collected at various times in the study indicating that these stink bug species were developing on this crop. Seasonal abundance of southern green stink bugs and brown stink bugs showed that at least two generations of the southern green stink bug occurred in peanuts each year, and one to two generations of the brown stink bug occurred in peanuts. Adult stink bugs were parasitized by two species of flies. Stink bug eggs were parasitized by five different species of wasps. Stink bug predators also were present in peanuts. In conclusion, peanuts do harbor populations of stink bug pests and their natural enemies in Georgia, and so the role peanuts play in the distribution and abundance of stink bugs throughout the agricultural landscape needs to be ascertained to better understand how to manage stink bug populations. Technical Abstract: The objective of this on-farm study was to determine if peanuts harbor populations of stink bugs and their natural enemies in Georgia. Eight species of phytophagous stink bugs were found in peanuts over the 4-yr study. The predominant stink bug species were Nezara viridula (L.), Euschistus servus (Say), Euschistus quadrator (Rolston), and Oebalus pugnax pugnax (F.). Acrosternum hilare (Say), Euschistus tristigmus (Say), Euschistus ictericus (L.), and Thyanta custator accerra McAtee were found in relatively low numbers. All development stages of N. viridula, E. servus, and E. quadrator were collected at various times in the study. Even though A. hilare and O. p. pugnax egg masses were not collected, nymphs and adults of these stink bugs occurred in peanuts. These data indicate that these five species of stink bugs were developing on this crop. Only adults of T. c. accerra, E. tristigmus, and E. ictericus were found in peanuts. Seasonal abundance of N. viridula and E. servus nymphs and adults showed that at least two N. viridula generations developed in peanuts each year, and one to two generations of E. servus developed in peanuts. Adult stink bugs were parasitized by the tachinid parasitoids Trichopoda pennipes (F.) and Cylindromyia spp. Stink bug eggs were parasitized by the scelionids, Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston), Trissolcus thyantae Ashmead, Telenomus podisi Ashmead, and Gryon obesum Masner, and an unknown encyrtid species. The stink bug predators, Geocoris punctipes (Say), Geocoris uliginosus (Say), Orius insidiosus (Say), Podisus maculiventris (Say), and Oxyopes salticus Hentz also occurred in peanuts. In conclusion, peanuts do harbor populations of stink bugs and their natural enemies in Georgia. Thus, the role peanuts play in the landscape ecology of stink bugs needs to be ascertained to better understand how to manage stink bug populations. |
