Nutrient declines in overwintering Halyomorpha halys populations

Authors: SKILLMAN, VICTORIA - Oregon State University; WIMAN, NIK - Oregon State University; Lee, Jana

Submitted to: Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/27/2018
Publication Date: 10/4/2018
Citation: Skillman, V., Wiman, N., Lee, J.C. 2018. Nutrient declines in overwintering Halyomorpha halys populations. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 166(9):778-789. https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.12708.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/eea.12708

Interpretive Summary: Since the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) arrived in the United States in 1996, it has become major a pest and nuisance for both agricultural growers and homeowners. Understanding the nutritional needs of BMSB is important for improving management. Much of the nutrient research conducted so far has focused on the nutritional requirements for rearing insects in the laboratory, while the nutritional status (well-fed or starved) of wild BMSB is unknown. In this research, adult nutritional status, as measured by lipid, glycogen and sugar levels, was examined at monthly intervals in BMSB during the summer and overwintering period. The first major trend was that adults emerging from overwintering shelters later in the spring had lower nutrient levels and weight than those that emerged early. Emerged BMSB adults had lower nutritional stores than those that remained in the overwintering shelters or adults that were collected from host plants. In the summer, BMSB nutrient levels often dip during the months of June and July as the new generation of adults establishes, and these summer adults can have lower nutrient levels than the overwintering adult generation. This research on the nutrient levels improves our understanding of BMSB biology and highlights periods of nutrient stress during their adult life.

Technical Abstract: Since Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (brown marmorated stink bug or BMSB) arrived in the United States in 1996, it has become major a pest and nuisance for both agricultural growers and homeowners alike. Understanding the nutritional ecology of a serious pest such as BMSB is important for improving management and rearing this insect for research. Much of the nutrient research conducted so far has focused on the nutritional requirements for rearing insects in a laboratory setting while the nutritional status of wild populations of BMSB is unknown. In this research, adult nutritional status, as measured by lipid, glycogen and sugar levels, was examined at monthly intervals in both summer and overwintering populations. We also compared nutritional status of different subpopulations. The first major trend was that adults emerging from overwintering shelters later in the spring had lower nutrient levels and weight than those that emerged early. Emerged BMSB adults had lower nutritional status than those that remained in the overwintering shelters or adults that were collected from host plants. In the summer, BMSB nutrient levels often dip during the months of June and July as the F1 summer generation of adults establishes, and these summer adults can have lower nutrient levels than the overwintering adult generation. This research on the nutrient levels improves our understanding of BMSB nutritional ecology and highlights periods of nutrient stress during their adult life.