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Title: Southern green stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) as vectors of pathogens affecting cotton bolls - A brief review

Author
item Esquivel, Jesus
item Medrano, Enrique
item Bell, Alois - Al

Submitted to: Southwestern Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/6/2010
Publication Date: 9/1/2010
Citation: Esquivel, J.F., Medrano, E.G., Bell, A.A. 2010. Southern green stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) as vectors of pathogens affecting cotton bolls - A brief review. Southwestern Entomologist. 35:457-461.

Interpretive Summary: The southern green stink bug has become an economically damaging pest of cotton in recent years. A disease, South Carolina boll rot, which affects cotton yield and quality, appeared coincidental to the increasing populations of stink bugs. The relationship between the occurrence of South Carolina boll rot and the southern green stink bug is discussed here. This review documents the identification and description of South Carolina boll rot, possible bacteria that can cause the disease, insects that can transmit the disease, establishment of southern green stink bug as a model insect based on intake and transmission of the bacteria to cotton bolls, and, transmission of other bacteria by southern green stink bugs. Future research avenues are also discussed. South Carolina boll rot continues to plague producers and continued research will enable mitigation of cotton yield loss due to diseases transmitted by insects.

Technical Abstract: The southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula L.) is a member of the stink bug complex that has reached elevated pest status in cotton production in recent years. A disease of cotton bolls, identified as South Carolina boll rot, appeared coincidental to the increasing populations of stink bugs. The relationship between the occurrence of the cotton disease and the southern green stink bug is discussed here. This review documents: the identification and description of the disease; potential causal agents and insect vectors; conclusive identification of Pantoea agglomerans as the causative agent of the disease; establishment of southern green stink bug as a model insect based on ingestion, retention, and transmission of the disease to cotton bolls; determination of boll age susceptibility to disease; and transmission of other disease agents by southern green stink bugs. Future research avenues are also discussed.