Photo-response of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), and its role in the hiding behavior

Abstract

As part of a study aimed at determining the factors affecting overwintering habitat choice by Halyomorpha halys, we examined the behavioral response to light of diapausing adults (which have no reproductive activity) and non-diapausing adults. Bugs were tested individually in a choice chamber (14, 18 and 24°C) containing a dark refuge with opaque (black) sides and roof. Each bug's position in the choice chamber was recorded at regular intervals. The results indicated that diapausing bugs prefer to settle in a dark place (p \ 0.05). This preference appeared to weaken at 24°C; however, this apparent trend was probably due to the greater overall activity of the bugs under warmer conditions. In tests of non-diapausing bugs, lower proportions of the bugs were observed inside the dark refuge at higher temperatures; however, the preference for dark places was exhibited under all temperature conditions. Based on these results, we infer that H. halys adults have a fundamental preference for dark places whether or not they are in diapauses, which plays a main role in hiding behavior. This preference becomes most obvious in the winter, with the decrease in behavioral activity resulting from lower temperatures. We propose that this common preference for location is one of the factors responsible for the bugs' convergence on specific microhabitats and the overwintering aggregate formation of H. halys.

Nutrient declines in overwintering Halyomorpha halys populations

“…In study 2 and in Bergh et al (2017), H. halys naturally exit the overwintering shelter over several months, suggesting that there is no single environmental cue to trigger emergence. Although temperature and photoperiod are known to affect development and reproductive status of H. halys (Niva & Takeda, 2003;Nielsen et al, 2008;Toyama et al, 2011;Cira et al, 2016), they may not be the only factors to influence emergence. Funayama (2012) suggests that adult H. halys might leave overwintering in search of food to replenish their nutrient reserves.…”

Review of the Biology, Ecology, and Management ofHalyomorpha halys(Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea

“…The majority of H. halys become inactive below 9ЊC (Li et al 2007). Aggregations of adults are found in dark locations in overwintering sites and, once settled, the individuals are unlikely to leave (Toyama et al 2011) unless stored nutrients in the fat body are depleted (Funayama 2012b). Toyama et al (2006) suggested that aggregations were the result of adults responding to tactile and/or olfactory cues, but not visual cues.…”

“…Reproductive diapause has been characterized by the presence of undeveloped oocytes in females and an unapparent ectodermal sac in males (Niva and Takeda 2003). Diapause induction in adults is inßuenced by short-day conditions (Watanabe 1980, Fujiie 1985, Niva and Takeda 2003, Toyama et al 2006, 2011 and low temperatures (Watanabe 1980) in the nymphal and adult stages (Niva and Takeda 2003).…”

The Distribution of Overwintering Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in College Dormitories

“…Like many other pentatomids (Saulich & Musolin 2014), BMSB undergoes facultative diapause and overwinters as sexually immature adults (Nielsen & Hamilton 2009). Prior to diapause, this species seeks out and clusters in secluded dark areas, where it remains dormant until spring (Toyama et al 2006(Toyama et al , 2011. In the mid-Atlantic Region of the United States, adults begin moving into overwintering sites in Sep and Oct.…”