Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys Stål.) Attack Induces a Metabolic Response in Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) Fruit

Nika Cvelbar Weber,Robert Veberič,Metka Hudina,Jaka Razinger,Tilen Zamljen,Jerneja Jakopič,Ana Slatnar,Franci Štampar,Valentina Schmitzer

doi:10.3390/horticulturae7120561

Nika Cvelbar Weber, Robert Veberič + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7120561

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Abstract

The polyphagous brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys Stål.) is an important pest in many countries. Recently it was noticed that it can feed on and cause damage to strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). The metabolic response of strawberries to brown marmorated stink bug attacks was studied. Brown marmorated stink bugs attacked strawberry fruit which had 18% lower total sugar content compared to that of the control treatment. However, organic acid content had no significant difference among the three treatments, with the exception of shikimic acid, which had the highest content in the attacked fruit. Thirty-one phenolic compounds were identified. Results showed a strong effect on secondary metabolites due to H. halys attacks. Halyomorpha halys treatment had 27% higher total analyzed phenolic content compared to the indirect Halyomorpha halys treatment. The brown marmorated stink bug significantly increased total ellagic acid derivatives (33.1% to 37% higher), hydroxycinnamic acids (22.3% higher) and anthocyanins’ (39% higher) contents. Fruit attacked by Halyomorpha halys also had higher catechin and epicatechin content than that of the control treatments. This pest had a significant influence on the plant’s secondary metabolism, and this improved our understanding of how a strawberry plant reacts to the attacks of this very important pest. H. halys-infested fruit are not suitable for commercial production, due to the production of off-flavors.

Highlights

The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys Stål. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) has started to spread across Slovenia since 2017 in a similar pattern to other European countries [1]
This study has shown that it can target strawberry plants
Our study is a detailed report on the metabolic response of strawberries to brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys Stål.) attacks

Summary

Introduction

The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys Stål. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) has started to spread across Slovenia since 2017 in a similar pattern to other European countries [1]. H. halys originates from China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, but has rapidly spread to North America and Europe due to several reasons, of which the main ones are climate change and a lack of natural predators [2]. The damage is significant especially in apple, pear, peach or cherry orchards, with yield losses of up to 50% or more [3,4]. It can cause the decrease in yield and of its quality after storage, as previously reported by Zamljen et al [5]. Halyomorpha halys feeds on the fruit, causing small puncture wounds which tend to rot in storage rooms, causing significant losses to Horticulturae 2021, 7, 561.

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