Influence of landscape factors and abiotic conditions on dispersal behavior and overwintering site selection by Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Authors: CULLUM, JOHN - Virginia Tech; NIXON, LAURA - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); Morrison, William - Rob; RAUPP, MICHAEL - University Of Maryland; SHREWSBURY, PAULA - University Of Maryland; VENOGAL, P. DILIP - University Of Maryland; MARTINSON, HOLLY - University Of Maryland; BERGH, J. CHRISTOPHER - Virginia Tech; Leskey, Tracy

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/24/2020
Publication Date: 4/20/2020
Citation: Cullum, J.P., Nixon, L.J., Morrison III, W.R., Raupp, M.J., Shrewsbury, P.M., Venogal, P., Martinson, H., Bergh, J., Leskey, T.C. 2020. Influence of landscape factors and abiotic conditions on dispersal behavior and overwintering site selection by Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaa077.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaa077

Interpretive Summary: Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an invasive insect native to Asia that can be a severe nuisance pest for homeowners and businesses. To understand how BMSB selects potential overwintering sites, we measured the numbers of adults present on the surfaces of structures and at different elevations during their fall dispersal period. We found that greater numbers were present at higher elevations indicating that structures at higher elevations may be invaded by larger numbers of bugs. Moreover, we found that overwintering adults prefer to settle in dry, unlit locations within structures compared with those that were damp or had light present. BMSB use both landscape and microenvironment cues to locate and settle within suitable overwintering sites.

Technical Abstract: Since the initial detection of the invasive Halyomorpha halys (Stål) in the USA in the late 1990s, this insect has emerged as a severe agricultural and nuisance pest. Nuisance problems are due to adult dispersal to overwintering sites in the fall at which time they alight onto and eventually settle within human-made structures in addition to natural harborage. To address how H. halys select potential overwintering sites, observational counts were performed along elevational transects in the mid-Atlantic region. Elevation was a significant predictor of H. halys abundance during both years of the study in 2014 and 2015 with more adults observed at higher elevations. We also explored the effect of moisture and light on settling behavior of diapausing H. halys. Choice tests indicated adults H. halys settled within overwintering shelter boxes in significantly greater numbers when shelters were dry, compared with those having moist conditions, and in darkened shelters, compared with those augmented with LED lights. Our findings indicate that H. halys use cues at both landscape and very localized levels when seeking and selecting overwintering sites.