Author
|
Submitted to: Southwestern Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 4/20/2011 Publication Date: 7/1/2011 Citation: Esquivel, J.F. 2011. Euschistus servus (Say): A new host record for Mermithidae (Mermithida). Southwestern Entomologist. 36:207-211. Interpretive Summary: Brown stink bugs are pests of cotton, and fruit and nut crops, that affect yield quality and quantity. Brown stink bug adults infected with nematodes were collected in pheromone traps located between a commercial cotton field and a pecan orchard in Central Texas. This report presents the first record of nematode infections in brown stink bugs. The nematodes were immature states of nematodes belonging to the family Mermithidae (Mermithida). Nematodes have previously been used as biological control agents of insect pest species, and this report provides a foundation for future research of mermithid nematodes as potential control agents of brown stink bugs and related insects that overwinter in orchard floors or other ground cover. Technical Abstract: The brown stink bug complex (Euschistus spp.) and related hemipterans are key pests of cotton, and fruit and nut crops, affecting yield quality and quanitity. In an ongoing study assessing seasonal abundance of Euschistus servus (Say) (Hempitera: Pentatomidae) and related species in Central Texas, pheromone traps situated at the interface of commercial cotton and a pecan orchard captured E. servus adults infected with nematodes. The nematodes were fourth stage infective juveniles belonging to the family Merithidae (Merithida). This report presents the first record of nematode infections by Mermithidae (Mermithida) in E. servus. Because nematodes have been used as biological control agents in many insect pest species, this report provides a foundation for future research of mermithid nematodes as potential control agents of E. servus and other related hemipteran species that overwinter in orchard floors or other ground cover. |
