Effect of trap color and residual attraction of a pheromone lure for monitoring stink bugs (hemiptera: pentatomidae)

Authors: Cottrell, Ted; BALUSU, RAMMOHAN - Auburn University; VINSON, EDGAR - Auburn University; WILKINS, BRYAN - Auburn University; FADAMIRO, HENRY - Auburn University; Tillman, Patricia - Glynn

Submitted to: Journal of Entomological Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/4/2019
Publication Date: 10/20/2020
Citation: Cottrell, T.E., Balusu, R.R., Vinson, E., Wilkins, B., Fadamiro, H.Y., Tillman, P.G. 2020. Effect of trap color and residual attraction of a pheromone lure for monitoring stink bugs (hemiptera: pentatomidae). Journal of Entomological Science. 55/437-447. https://doi.org/10.18474/0749-8004-55.4.437.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18474/0749-8004-55.4.437

Interpretive Summary: Stink bugs are commonly monitored using pyramid traps baited with a pheromone. Initially, the pyramid traps were painted yellow and predominantly used to monitor native stink bug species. However, research studies involving the invasive brown marmorated stink bug now use pyramid traps that are black, not yellow. As the brown marmorated stink bug moves across the southeastern U.S., the use of a single trap, yellow or black, for monitoring and conducting research studies would be beneficial. Our objective was to compare black and yellow pyramid traps baited with a lure to determine if one was superior for trapping pest stink bugs. This study was conducted at four locations, three in Alabama and one in Georgia, over two years. Additionally, residual efficacy of the lure was measured via trap capture over one-month intervals. Our results showed that only native stink bugs, and only in one year, were significantly affected by trap color. Capture of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug and the most abundant native species, the brown stink bug, was not significantly affected by trap color. Trap capture was significantly affected by how long a lure was in a trap.

Technical Abstract: Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are commonly monitored using pyramid traps baited with a pheromone. Initially, the pyramid traps were painted yellow and predominantly used to monitor native stink bug species. However, research studies involving the exotic Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) now use pyramid traps that are black, not yellow. As H. halys moves across the southeastern U.S., the use of a single trap, yellow or black, for monitoring and conducting research studies would be beneficial. Our objective was to compare black and yellow pyramid traps baited with a lure to determine if one was superior for trapping herbivorous stink bugs. This study was conducted at four locations, three in Alabama and one in Georgia, over two years. Additionally, residual efficacy of the lure was measured via trap capture over one-month intervals. Our results showed that only native stink bugs, and only in one year, were significantly affected by trap color. Capture of the exotic H. halys and the most abundant native species, E. servus, was not significantly affected by trap color. Trap capture was significantly affected by how long a lure was in a trap.