Author
|
Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2016 Publication Date: 6/1/2016 Citation: Tillman, P.G. 2016. Diversity of stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) egg parasitoids in woodland and crop habitats in southwest Georgia, USA. Florida Entomologist. 99:286-291. Interpretive Summary: Stink bugs are primary pests responsible for millions of dollars in losses and cost of control in row crops. They move within and between closely associated crop and non-crop habitats throughout the growing season in response to deteriorating suitability of their current host plants. This study was conducted to investigate parasitism of naturally occurring green stink bug and brown stink eggs in woodland habitats and adjacent crops in Georgia. Nine species of parasites emerged from brown stink bug eggs. The most prevalent parasite of brown stink bug eggs in each of three habitats, woodlands, early-season corn, and late-season peanut, cotton, and soybean, was a tiny parasite called Telenomus podisi. In woodlands, 27.9% of the brown stink bug eggs also were parasitized by two tiny parasites called Anastatus reduvii and Anastatus mirabilis. Five species of parasites emerged from green stink bug eggs. The most prevalent parasite of green stink bug eggs in woodland habitats was a tiny parasite called Trissolcus edessae, and it was the only parasite attacking eggs of this stink bug in cotton and soybean. In woodland habitats, 40.7% of green stink bug eggs also were parasitized by tiny parasites called A. reduvii and A. mirabilis. Parasitism of brown stink bug eggs was higher in corn than in the other two habitats. Parasitism of green stink bug eggs was higher in woodland habitats than in late-season crops. Each of the parasite species attacking brown stink bug and green stink bug eggs are known to attack eggs of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug. In conclusion, a diversity of parasites attack native stink bugs in Georgia, and species of parasites emerging from stink bug eggs can vary by habitat. Technical Abstract: Nezara viridula (L.) and Euschistus servus (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are economic pests of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. They move within and between closely associated crop and non-crop habitats throughout the growing season in response to deteriorating suitability of their current host plants. This study was conducted to investigate parasitism of naturally occurring N. viridula and E. servus eggs in woodland habitats and adjacent crops in Georgia. Nine species of parasitoids, including seven platygastrids, two eupelmids, and one encyrtid, parasitized E. servus eggs. Telenomus podisi (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) was the most prevalent parasitoid of E. servus eggs in each of three habitats, woodlands, an early-season crop, and late-season crops. In woodland habitats, 27.9% of the eggs also were parasitized by Anastatus reduvii (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) and Anastatus mirabilis (Walsh & Riley) females and Anastatus males. Five species of parasitoids, including two scelionids, two eupelmids, and one encyrtid, parasitized C. hilaris eggs. Trissolcus edessae (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) was the most prevalent parasitoid of C. hilaris eggs in woodland habitats and the only parasitoid of C. hilaris in late-season crops. In woodland habitats, 40.7% of the eggs also were parasitized by A. reduvii and A. mirabilis females and Anastatus males. Anastatus species existed primarily in woodland habitats. Percent parasitism of E. servus eggs was higher in the early-season crop than in the other two habitats. Percent parasitism of C. hilaris eggs was higher in woodland habitats than in late-season crops. In conclusion, a diversity of parasitoid species parasitize native stink bugs in Georgia, and species of parasitoids emerging from egg of these stink bugs can vary by habitat. |
