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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Southeast Watershed Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #357519
Research Project: Ecology and Biologically-based Management Systems for Insect Pests in Agricultural Landscapes in the Southeastern Region

Location: Southeast Watershed Research

Title: Potential of Melia azedarach L. as a host plant for Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Hempitera: Pentatomidae)

Author
item Tillman, Patricia - Glynn
item Cottrell, Ted
item BUNTIN, DAVID - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/19/2018
Publication Date: 3/1/2019
Citation: Tillman, P.G., Cottrell, T.E., Buntin, D. 2019. Potential of Melia azedarach L. as a host plant for Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Hempitera: Pentatomidae). Florida Entomologist. 102(1):222-226. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.102.0136.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1653/024.102.0136

Interpretive Summary: The invasive brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an agricultural and nuisance pest in Georgia. Chinaberry trees commonly grow in dense thickets along roadsides and in woodlands adjacent to agricultural crops in the state. Thus, we conducted this study to determine if the BMSB would feed and grow chinaberry and perhaps serve as a potential source of this pest into crops. Specifically, we examined mortality and feeding of young BMSB nymphs on chinaberry leaves versus carrot and searched for BMSB on chinaberry in woodlands at two locations where this stink bug has become established. Over all sampling dates and locations, the number of BMSB in chinaberry was very low, and only six individuals were observed feeding on chinaberry. Percentage feeding by BMSB early nymphs was lower for individuals given chinaberry leaves versus those provided with carrot indicating antifeedant activity of compounds in chinaberry against these nymphs. Mortality of nymphs on chinaberry was very high. We conclude that chinaberry is an unlikely host plant for BMSB.

Technical Abstract: Currently, the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is considered an agricultural and nuisance pest in Georgia. The invasive chinaberry tree, Melia azedarach L. (Sapindales: Meliaceae), commonly grows in dense thickets along roadsides and in woodlands adjacent to agricultural crops in the state. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the potential of chinaberry to be a host plant of H. halys, specifically by examining mortality and feeding of 1st and 2nd instars on chinaberry leaves versus carrot (i.e., control) and documenting presence of H. halys on chinaberry in woodlands at two locations where this stink bug has become established. Over all sampling dates and locations, the number of H. halys in chinaberry was very low (0.13 per tree), and only six individuals, five late instars and one adult, were observed feeding on chinaberry late season at one field site. Percentage feeding by H. halys 2nd instars was lower for individuals given chinaberry leaves versus those provided with carrot indicating antifeedant activity of triterpenoids in chinaberry against 2nd instars of this stink bug. Mortality for 2nd instars on chinaberry leaves was very high. We conclude that chinaberry is an unlikely host plant for H. halys.