Rearing the Brown Marmorated Stink BugHalyomorpha halys(Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract

The brown marmorated stink bug, (BMSB), is an invasive insect not native to North America. It was accidentally introduced near Allentown, PA in 1996 and has spread since that time. It was found in Virginia in 2004 and by 2010, it was found throughout most of the Commonwealth. The BMSB feeds on a wide range of tree fruits and seedpods as well as many vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucurbits, and sweet corn. High densities of this pest species have also been seen in soybeans and corn. However, so far in Virginia, the most severely damaged crops have been tree fruit (apples and peaches). For homeowners, it is mainly a nuisance pest, as it invades houses in the winter looking for a place to over-winter. For businesses such as hotels and restaurants and other commercial settings with public interface, the presence of high numbers of these bugs in the fall can have economic consequences. Identification: The BMSB is a grayish brown shield-backed bug about 3/4 inch long with white bands on the antennae and legs, alternating black and white spots on the abdomen, and no spines on the front of the thorax. Nymphs lack wings, and have reddish and white marking on the upper surface of the abdomen. There may be spines of the front of the thorax in nymphs. Figure 2. Starting from left, external BMSB damage to nectarine, external injury to apple, and internal evidence of surface feeding. Note sunken areas on the surface. (Doug Pfeiffer) Adult brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), note white bands on antennae and legs (Doug Pfeiffer)

Rearing Protocol and Density Trials of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in the Laboratory

“…Food was administered by placing 2 prewashed organic baby carrots, 3 prewashed organic green beans, and approximately 20 organic sunflower seeds into the dorm. The food provided to H. halys in this protocol is consistent with the types of food used in other studies (Funayama 2006;Li et al 2007;Medal et al 2012;Haye et al 2014). Funayama (2006) used carrots, soybeans, and peanuts as food for this insect.…”

“…The insects were housed in 29.2 × 25.4 × 26.6 cm polyethylene bug dorms (BioQuip, Rancho Dominguez, California). The dimensions of the bug dorms used for this study are slightly larger than the 30 × 23 × 10 cm dimensions for cages used in another study (Medal et al 2012). Each dorm was modified from its original shape to a triangular prism and fitted with a plastic foam top.…”

“…Halyomorpha halys females laid eggs mostly on the netting sleeve of the bug dorms, allowing for easy removal of egg masses by peeling. The bug dorms could also be stacked without preventing air circulation, unlike in other studies (Medal et al 2012).…”

“…All food and water were replaced on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This schedule was found to be much more cost effective and efficient compared with other studies in which food and water were replaced every other day (Medal et al 2012). Food was administered by placing 2 prewashed organic baby carrots, 3 prewashed organic green beans, and approximately 20 organic sunflower seeds into the dorm.…”

Toxicities of Neonicotinoid Insecticides for Systemic Control of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Fruiting Vegetables1

“…Approximately 500 H. halys adults were placed into each overwintering container. Adults were maintained outdoors at Blacksburg, VA until early January for both years, at which time they were placed in a temperature chamber (Percival Scientific Inc., Perry, IA) and exposed to temperatures of 26u C 6 2, a 16:8 h L:D photoperiod, and a 50% relative humidity, which induced feeding and reproduction of the bugs after a few weeks (Nielsen et al 2008a, Medal et al 2012). Adults and nymphs H. halys were provided a water wick and maintained on a diet of snap beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabales: Fabaceae); carrots, Daucus carota L. (Apiales: Apiaceae); and peanuts, Arachis hypogaea L. (Fabales: Fabaceae).…”