Pentatomids associated with blackberry

Mauricio Paulo Batistella Pasini,Alessandro Dal'Col Lúcio

doi:10.1590/s1413-70542014000300005

Mauricio Paulo Batistella Pasini, Alessandro Dal'Col Lúcio

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1413-70542014000300005

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Abstract

Information concerning the presence of stink bugs in blackberry (Rubus spp.) in Brazil is sparse. This study aimed to identify the stink bug species associated with blackberry, to establish the daily dynamics and evaluate the fruits damage. The experiment was conducted in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, in blackberry orchard. Presence and evaluations of stink bugs were done weekly through visual and sweeping samplings at different day times. Five species of pentatomids were identified: Piezodorus guildinii, Nezara viridula, Euschistus heros, Dichelops furcatus and Edessa meditabunda. The bugs attack the drupelets producing a dark brown spot and wrinkled berries.

Highlights

The blackberry, Rubus spp. (Rosaceae), area has shown substantial increase in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State, Brazil
This study aimed to identify the stink bugs species associated with blackberries, establish the daily dynamics and determine fruit damage
Brennan et al (2013) reported that increasing stink bugs population in blackberry is associated with the increased number of mature fruits

Summary

Introduction

The blackberry, Rubus spp. (Rosaceae), area has shown substantial increase in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State, Brazil. (Rosaceae), area has shown substantial increase in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State, Brazil. This crop is an alternative to small scale growers, due to the low cost production (Antunes; Rasseira, 2004). Stink bugs are common in annual crops, mainly corn, soybeans and rice. In absence of these crops stink bugs move to other crops to feed. Blackberry orchards are usually located close to annual crops, and they are appropriated host for stink bugs. No insect has been reported on blackberries in Brazil (Antunes; Rasseira, 2004, Pagot et al, 2007). In the United States, eight species of stink bugs have been reported associated with blackberry, including Nezara viridula (L.) and Euschistus spp. 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)

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