Damage by the green-belly stink bug to corn

Abstract

<jats:p>Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential damage of the green-belly stink bug, Dichelops melacanthus, to corn in greenhouse and field conditions. Three trials were carried out. In the greenhouse, corn plants in the V1 stage were evaluated after each of them was infested with one insect in four developmental stages (nymphs of the third, fourth, and fifth instars and adults) during 14 days. In the field, corn plants in four developmental stages (V1, V3, V5, and V7) were infested inside cages with five adult stink bugs, also during 14 days. In another trial in the greenhouse, the same treatments of the field trial were conducted during 14 days, but with an infestation intensity of one bug per plant per pot. The control treatment was without infestation. In all trials, damage scores were attributed to the corn plants and the dry matter of the aerial part of the plants was determined. In the field, stem diameter and grain yield were also evaluated. Third-instar nymphs do not cause significant changes in the dry weight of the aerial part of the plant and in the damage scores, compared with the control treatment. Infestations by adult stink bugs cause more damage to corn plants in the V1 and V3 stages, both in field and greenhouse conditions.</jats:p>

Influence of Diceraeus melacanthus (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae) on the Development and Reactive-Oxigen-Related Enzyme Activity of Corn Seedlings

“…Corn plants infested by the stink bug D. melacanthus, between phenological stages V1 and V3 show significant damage when compared to older plants (Fernandes et al, 2020). Taking into acount our results, it appears that seedlings at 2 nd DAE, phenological stage V1, which were infested by the stink bug D. melacanthus showed a reduction in height of approximately 23% when compared to plants that were not fed on by the bug.…”

“…The corn plant Zea mays L. (Poaceae) can be affected by several pests that attack from the root, to the stalk and leaves, to the corn cob, causing damage throughout the cultivation cycle, if not properly managed. Among the pests, the green belly stink bugs species Diceraeus melacanthus Dallas, 1851 and Diceraeus furcatus Fabricius, 1775 (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) are causing significant damage to the crop (Fernandes et al, 2020).…”

“…This insect feeds on cellular compounds of the plant's parenchymal tissue and xylem vessels (Lucini & Panizzi, 2018), preferring the base of the corn seedling stem as the main feeding point (Panizzi & Lucini, 2019). The potential for injuries caused by this stink bug can be particularly observed from nymphs of the fourth and fifth instar to adults, developmental stages that are responsible for causing significant damage to corn (Fernandes et al, 2020).…”