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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Southeast Watershed Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #377597
Research Project: Ecology and Biologically-based Management Systems for Insect Pests in Agricultural Landscapes in the Southeastern Region

Location: Southeast Watershed Research

Title: Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) nymph survival and adult feeding preferences for crop plants in Florida

Author
item KHADKA, ARJUN - University Of Florida
item HODGES, AMANDA - University Of Florida
item LEPPLA, NORMAN - University Of Florida
item Tillman, Patricia - Glynn

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2021
Publication Date: 8/4/2021
Citation: Khadka, A., Hodges, A.C., Leppla, N.C., Tillman, P.G. 2021. Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) nymph survival and adult feeding preferences for crop plants in Florida. Florida Entomologist. 104:136-139. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.104.0210.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1653/024.104.0210

Interpretive Summary: The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an invasive insect recently established in the U.S. The pest risk potential for BMSB is high in terms of crops affected and potential losses. The possibility of BMSB feeding and developing on some Florida economically important crops has not been evaluated. Thus, development and feeding of this stink bug on was assessed for some crop plants, including apple, okra, sunflower, tangerine, olive, plum, pomegranate, satsuma, and pear and a weed, amaranthus, in the laboratory. This invasive stink bug fed on all the plants except olive and pomegranate but completed development only on apple, pear and satsuma. However, a significant number of BMSB nymphs (i.e., immatures) developed to the last nymphal stage before becoming adults on okra, tangerine, and plum. We conclude that satsuma, tangerine, apple, pear, okra, and plum production in South Florida could be at risk from BMSB.

Technical Abstract: The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive insect recently established in the U.S. The pest risk potential for H. halys is high in terms of crops affected and potential losses. The possibility of H. halys feeding and developing on some Florida economically important crops has not been evaluated. Thus, some Florida crop plants, including apple, okra, sunflower, tangerine, olive, plum, pomegranate, satsuma, and pear and a weed, amaranthus, were assessed as hosts for this stink bug in a quarantine laboratory. This invasive stink bug fed on all the plants except olive and pomegranate but completed development only on apple, pear and satsuma. However, a significant number of nymphs developed to the 5th instar on okra, tangerine, and plum. We conclude that satsuma, tangerine, apple, pear, okra and plum production in South Florida could be at risk from H. halys.