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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #315853
Title: Semiochemical production and laboratory behavior response of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha Halys

Author
item HARRIS, CHRISTINA - Virginia Tech
item Abubeker, Sitra
item YU, MENGMENG - China Agricultural University
item Leskey, Tracy
item Zhang, Aijun

Submitted to: Journal of Insect Physiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2015
Publication Date: 11/3/2015
Citation: Harris, C., Abubeker, S.U., Yu, M., Leskey, T.C., Zhang, A. 2015. Semiochemical production and laboratory behavior response of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha Halys. Journal of Insect Physiology. 10(1):e0140876.

Interpretive Summary: The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an exotic insect pest that invaded the United States in 2001. As of today, it has been found in more than 42 states. BMSB has a very broad host plant range and damage to crops in mid-Atlantic States has reached a critical level. A reliable and accurate tool for infestation detection and population monitoring is urgently needed to provide better and more timely interventions. Attractants produced by male BMSB have been previously identified and are currently used in BMSB infestation detection. However, the conditions affecting BMSB production of these attractants were unknown. In this study, we collected headspace volatiles from male BMSB for more than two years under laboratory conditions and measured the temporal patterns of release of these attractants. In addition, we quantified other semiochemicals that adult males also produced, as well as the subsequent effects on their attractants production. This information should lead to a better understanding of the biology, physiology, and chemical ecology of BMSB, which will help scientists and growers develop more efficient strategies based on natural products to mange BMSB population, therefore, reducing pesticide usage and protecting the crops from BMSB damage.

Technical Abstract: The brown marmorated stinkbug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive insect pest to the U.S. that has been causing substantial damage to fruit crops in the Mid-Atlantic region since its introduction in 2001. A male-produced pheromone blend has been previously identified from H. halys adults held under low densities. In this study, we report the temporal patterns of release of this pheromone blend and other semiochemicals from adult males, as well as the subsequent attractiveness to conspecifics. Y-tube olfactometer bioassays indicate that pheromone-emitting adult males were highly attractive to other adult males, but only weakly attractive to nymphs and adult females. In addition to the pheromone components, tridecane (C13) and E-2-decenal (an alarm compound) were observed in headspace collections of males, as well as in females and nymphs. Exposure of pheromone-emitting adult males to synthetic C13 greatly reduced pheromone emission. However, C13 and E-2-decenal combined do not reduce pheromone emission.