Efficacy of select insecticide seed treatments and in-furrow applications for managing the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in seedling maize

Abstract

The brown stink bug, Euschitus servus, is an important early season pest of field corn. It feeds directly on the growth point of developing plants leading to delays in growth, stunting, and a reduction in yield when injury is severe. Injury from stink bug feeding is often observed days to weeks after it occurred at which point management provides no benefit. This study, conducted in Suffolk, VA in 2018 and 2019, examined prophylactic insecticide options, including seed treatments and in-furrow applications, for their efficacy against brown stink bug. Seed treatments are applied by manufacturers to many commercially available corn seed at different rates for below ground pests. In 2018 and 2019, brown stink bugs were artificially infested in seedling corn plots treated with clothianidin applied to the seed, bifenthrin applied in-furrow, or terbufos applied in-furrow. In 2019, an early and late planting date were used. The impact of stink bug feeding in the presence of each of these treatments, as well as the impact of the treatments on stink bug feeding behavior and mortality, were assessed. We found that clothianidin seed treatments have the potential to mitigate early season feeding from brown stink bugs and prevent yield reduction. We also observed reduced feeding activity and plant injury in early planted corn, suggesting later planted corn is more susceptible to stink bug injury. These results suggest that no additional management may needed for brown stink bugs in seedling corn when planting seed treated with insecticides.