Trap strategy and diel periodicity affect capture rate of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in agroecosystems

Authors: Tillman, Patricia - Glynn; Grabarczyk, Erin; KESHEIMER, KATELYN - Auburn University; Cottrell, Ted

Submitted to: Environmental Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/18/2024
Publication Date: 2/25/2024
Citation: Tillman, P.G., Grabarczyk, E.E., Kesheimer, K.A., Cottrell, T.E. 2024. Trap strategy and diel periodicity affect capture rate of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in agroecosystems. Environmental Entomology.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/nvae010

Interpretive Summary: The invasive brown marmorated stink bug is a polyphagous pest that damages fruit in orchard and field crops and is often found in trees within hedgerows and woods surrounding crop fields. Traps baited with attractive lures are often used to capture this stink bug. However, the efficiency of trapping it may vary depending on trap strategy (live capture versus killing specimens), trap location (on ground or in tree), and time of day stink bugs are captured. In this study we compared stink bug trap capture for: 1) live and dead traps on the ground beneath and traps placed in black cherry, sugarberry, and pecan trees, and live traps placed in on both the ground and in trees for sassafras, and 2) whether collection times impacted capture of ive stink bugs within sassafras and cotton. Overall, more brown marmorated adults and nymphs were captured in dead traps than live traps. However, live trap capture was significantly greater in sassafras and pecan trees than on the ground. In cotton and sassafras, more live adults were captured in the morning (8am –noon) with the fewest captured during the afternoon (noon – 6pm). In summary, for live trapping, tree traps high in trees can be more efficient than ground traps. Dead traps are better suited for simple monitoring purposes, whereas live traps are best for collecting live insects for rearing, collection of egg masses, or laboratory studies.

Technical Abstract: Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a polyphagous pest that damages fruit in orchard and field crops and is often found in trees within hedgerows and woods surrounding crop fields. Pyramidal traps baited with attractive pheromone lures are often used to capture H. halys. However, efficiency of trapping H. halys may vary depending on trap strategy (live capture versus killing specimens), trap location (ground or arboreal), and diel periodicity of captures. In this study we compared stink bug trap capture for: 1) live and kill traps deployed on the ground beneath tree canopies versus traps placed in the canopies of black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), sugarberry (Celtis laevigata Willdenow), and pecan trees, and live traps placed in both trap locations for sassafras (Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees) trees, and 2) whether diel periodicity was detected for live capture within sassafras canopy and cotton foliage. Overall, more H. halys adults and nymphs were captured in kill traps than live traps. However, live trap capture was significantly greater in sassafras and pecan canopies than on the ground beneath trees. In cotton foliage and sassafras canopy, more live adults were captured in the morning (8am –noon) with the fewest captured during the afternoon (noon – 6pm). In summary, for live trapping, arboreal traps high in tree canopies can be more efficient than ground traps. Kill traps are better suited for simple monitoring purposes, whereas live traps are best for collecting live insects for rearing, egg masses, or laboratory studies.