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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #355964
Research Project: Biologically-based Management of Arthropod Pests in Small Fruit and Nursery Crops

Location: Horticultural Crops Research Unit

Title: Monitoring nutrient status of brown marmorated stink bug adults and nymphs on summer holly

Author
item SKILLMAN, VICTORIA - Oregon State University
item WIMAN, NIK - Oregon State University
item Lee, Jana

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/14/2018
Publication Date: 9/17/2018
Citation: Skillman, V., Wiman, N., Lee, J.C. 2018. Monitoring nutrient status of brown marmorated stink bug adults and nymphs on summer holly. Insects. 9(3):120. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9030120.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects9030120

Interpretive Summary: Since arriving in the United States in 1996, the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) has become a major pest and nuisance for both agricultural growers and homeowners. While this pest is very prominent, little is known about the energetic reserves of wild BMSB in the field, especially in the US. Such knowledge will help us understand how BMSB is thriving through the year or in different environments. Our research monitored the energetic profiles of BMSB adults and juveniles collected from holly in western Oregon. We measured their weight, body mass index, lipid, glycogen, sugar levels, and egg loads from May- September/October. First, glycogen and sugar levels of adults were lowest in June-August showing a period where food resource is scarcer or when adults have metabolized more of their reserves. Since nothing is known about the energetic reserves of juveniles, the reported values from this survey can assist future research on physiological responses of BMSB to treatments in the field. Second, adult females had few eggs in May, with highest egg load in June and July, and no eggs by September. Third, 1st and 2nd juvenile stages were found in June, and 4th and 5th stages in September. Both results confirm that BMSB is mainly reproductive in the summer and helps us predict how this pest will multiply in the field.

Technical Abstract: Since arriving in the United States in 1996, Halyomoroha halys (Stål) (brown marmorated stink bug, BMSB) has become a major pest and nuisance for both agricultural growers and homeowners. The nutritional ecology of BMSB is important for understanding its life history and rearing requirements. However, little is known about the nutritional status of wild populations, especially in the US. This research monitored the nutrient profiles of nymphal and adult BMSB collected from holly in western Oregon. We measured their weight, Nutrient Index (weight/prothorax width3), lipid, glycogen, sugar levels, and egg loads from May- September/October. First, glycogen and sugar levels of adults were lowest in June-August while their lipids levels varied. Second, adult females had few eggs in May, with highest egg load in June and July, and no eggs by September. Third, 1st and 2nd nymphal instars were found in June, and 4th and 5th instars in September. Since nothing is known about the nutrient profile of nymphs, the reported values from this survey can assist future research on physiological responses of BMSB to treatments in the field.