Species Composition, Monitoring, and Feeding Injury of Stink Bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Blackberry

Abstract

Blackberry (Rubus spp.) production in Florida has increased > 100% within the past two decades. and several insect pests, including stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), have been observed feeding on this crop. The objectives for this study were to determine the stink bug species present in blackberry; to develop monitoring tools for stink bugs in blackberry; and to describe feeding injury to blackberries by Euschistus quadrator Rolston, a relatively new stink bug pest to Florida, that has spread throughout the state. In a field survey, E. quadrator was the most abundant stink bug species, followed by Euschistus servus Say, Euschistus obscurus (Palisot de Beauvois), Thyanta custator (F.), Proxys punctulatus (Palisot de Beauvois), and Podisus maculiventris Say. Yellow pyramid traps caught more stink bugs than tube traps with or without the addition of Euschistus spp. pheromone lures. There were no statistical differences between traps baited with a Trécé Pherocon Centrum lure, a Suterra Scenturion lure, and an unbaited trap. These results were supported by Y-tube olfactometer assays with E. quadrator where there were no differences between pheromone baited lures and a control. Injury to berries caused by E. quadrator adults and third instars was similar, and both adults and third instars fed more on green berries compared with turning berries. In addition, adults fed more on green berries compared with ripe fruit. The most common injury to green berries was discoloration. In contrast, misshapen drupelets were commonly seen on turning and ripe berries. The potential for managing stink bugs in blackberries to prevent them from reaching damaging levels is discussed.

Reasons for large annual yield fluctuations in wild arctic bramble (Rubus arcticus subsp. arcticus) in Finland

“…A number of reasons have been proposed for the yield fluctuations (caused by the abortion of flowers or fruits or producing incomplete fruits) in arctic bramble, such as downy mildew (Peronospora sparsa) (Lindqvist et al 1998;Kokko et al 1999;Kostamo et al 2015), pests (Kokko et al 1998;Hartman 2008), pollination problems (Ryynänen 1973) and weather conditions (Saastamoinen 1930;Ervi et al 1955;Ryynänen 1973;Lindqvist et al 1998). In blackberry, true bugs and stink bugs misshape the drupelets (Brennan et al 2013), and redberry mites prevent the drupelets from attaining full maturation (Pye and de Lillo 2010). In loganberry, raspberry and boysenberry, the dryberry mite (Phyllocoptes gracilis) causes "dryberry disease" (Pye and de Lillo 2010).…”

Pentatomids associated with blackberry

“…: Piezodorus guildinii (Westwod), Euschistus heros (F.), Dichelops furcatus (F.), Edessa meditabunda (F.) and Nezara viridula (L.). The first four species are new records for blackberries in the world (Panizzi, 1997;Bunde et al, 2010;Brennan et al, 2013). Plants at pod formation stage, unripe and ripe fruits are more attractive to stink bugs than posterior stages (Bundy;McPherson, 2000).…”

“…Plants at pod formation stage, unripe and ripe fruits are more attractive to stink bugs than posterior stages (Bundy;McPherson, 2000). Brennan et al (2013) reported that increasing stink bugs population in blackberry is associated with the increased number of mature fruits.…”

“…In the United States, eight species of stink bugs have been reported associated with blackberry, including Nezara viridula (L.) and Euschistus spp. (Brennan et al, 2013).…”

First Report of the Soybean PestEuschistus quadrator(Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Mississippi

“…In addition to cotton and soybean, E. quadrator is found on various other crops associated with E. servus (Say) including: corn (Zea mays L.; Poaceae) (Tillman 2010 (Brennan et al 2013) and tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum Dunal; Solanaceae) (Diaz et al 2012).…”