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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #376469
Research Project: New Tools for Managing Key Pests of Pecan and Peach

Location: Fruit and Tree Nut Research

Title: Monitoring stink bugs, an annual pecan pest

Author
item Cottrell, Ted

Submitted to: Pecan South
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/9/2020
Publication Date: 1/8/2020
Citation: Cottrell, T.E. 2020. Monitoring stink bugs, an annual pecan pest. Pecan South. 53:(6)6-13.

Interpretive Summary: Stink bugs are serious, annual pests of pecan. Their feeding on developing nuts before shell hardening leads to ‘black pit’ of the embryo and nut abortion. After the shell hardens, damaged nuts remain on the tree and are harvested. At this time, stink bug feeding injury on kernels is indicated by, usually circular, blackened lesions on kernels (kernel spot). The ability of a stink bug to penetrate a hardened pecan shell to feed on the kernel should not be underestimated whether the shuck is on or off the nut. Populations of these mobile pests operate at the landscape level. They feed on many plant species indicating that many habitats surrounding pecan orchards likely serve as sources of stink bugs. Effectively monitoring populations is key to timing insecticide applications that will prevent economic injury.

Technical Abstract: Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are serious, annual pests of pecan, Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch (Juglandaceae). Their feeding on developing nuts before shell hardening leads to ‘black pit’ of the embryo and nut abortion. After the shell hardens, damaged nuts remain on the tree and are harvested. At this time, stink bug feeding injury on kernels is indicated by, usually circular, blackened lesions on kernels (kernel spot). The ability of a stink bug to penetrate a hardened pecan shell to feed on the kernel should not be underestimated whether the shuck is on or off the nut. Populations of these mobile pests operate at the landscape level. They feed on many plant species indicating that many habitats surrounding pecan orchards likely serve as sources of stink bugs. Effectively monitoring populations is key to timing insecticide applications that will prevent economic injury.