Hemipteran species in row crops of the Brazos River Bottom in Central Texas

Authors: Esquivel, Jesus; Suh, Charles

Submitted to: Southwestern Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/4/2023
Publication Date: 4/11/2024
Citation: Esquivel, J.F., Suh, C.P.-C. 2024. Hemipteran species in row crops of the Brazos River Bottom in Central Texas. Southwestern Entomologist. 49(1):214-234. https://doi.org/10.3958/059.049.0118.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3958/059.049.0118

Interpretive Summary: Stink bug and plant bug species, commonly known as hemipterans, continue to be major pests of cotton and other row crops in the U.S. Cotton Belt, but the composition of hemipterans has changed substantially over the past decade. Determining species composition is critical to understanding and managing these pests. Thus, a 2-year study was conducted to identify hemipteran species within corn, sorghum, cotton, and soybean in the Brazos River Bottom production area of Central Texas. Overall, 18 species of hemipterans were collected across all four crops. The brown stink bug and rice stink bug were the predominant species encountered in corn and sorghum, respectively, in both years of the study. The tarnished plant bug was the prevalent species in cotton during 2021, but the brown stink bug was predominant in 2022. Soybeans possessed the highest number of species, with the southern green stink bug as the prevalent species. Given that several of the hemipteran species were encountered in all four crops and are known to transmit disease-causing pathogens of row crops, our findings suggest the need for due diligence in monitoring these pest species in the major crops produced in Central Texas.

Technical Abstract: Phytophagous hemipteran species in row crops continue to plague producers, and determining species composition is critical to understanding and managing these pests. A 2-year study was conducted to identify the hemipteran species complex within corn, sorghum, cotton, and soybean in the Brazos River Bottom in Central Texas. In total, 14 and 18 species of hemipterans were collected during 2021 and 2022, respectively. Brown stink bugs (Euschistus servus (Say)), rice stink bugs (Oebalus pugnax (F.)), and tarnished plant bugs (Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois)) were predominant in corn, sorghum, and cotton, respectively, during 2021. Brown stink bugs and rice stink bugs continued as predominant species in corn and sorghum, respectively, during 2022; however, brown stink bugs were predominant in cotton. Soybeans yielded the greatest diversity of species, with southern green stink bugs (Nezara viridula (L.)) as the predominant species in 2022. Presence of nymphs indicated reproductive populations of predominant species. Similarly, seasonal occurrence profiles indicated species such as E. servus and N. viridula were present throughout the production season, suggesting a persistent threat to row crops. The observed seasonal patterns should provide a more acute timeline to aid producers in monitoring for key phytophagous pest species. In summary, a suite of hemipterans, including multiple phytophagous hemipteran species known to transmit disease-causing pathogens of row crops, were observed in all crops and, in some instances, present throughout the production season. These findings suggest the need for due diligence in monitoring these pest species in the major crops produced in Central Texas.