Seasonal Abundance, Host Suitability, and Feeding Injury of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Heteroptera: Penatomidae), in Selected Vegetables.

Abstract

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Heteroptera: Penatomidae), is a major pest of agricultural crops in the Mid-Atlantic States. Here we report the seasonal abundance, host preference, and injury potential of H. halys on tomato, bell pepper, green bean, sweet corn, eggplant, and okra in a small-scale, diversified vegetable farm setting. Life-stage densities, feeding injury, and crop phenology were monitored throughout the growing season in each crop. Populations consisted of both overwintered adults and F1 progeny and encompassed almost two generations over the growing season. H. halys preferred host plants with reproductive structures for feeding and was more abundant and capable to reproduce on vegetable crops that had extended periods of fruiting. Sweet corn, okra, and bell pepper had significant higher abundances of adults and nymphs compared with green bean, eggplant, and tomato. Results showed significant differences in the reproductive suitability of the host plants, as evident by the relative proportion of nymphal stages to adults. Eggplant, okra, and bell pepper were the most suitable host plants for reproduction and development, as evident by higher proportions of nymphs, with abundance trends indicating progressive development to adult eclosion. Crop loss potential due to H. halys feeding injury varied significantly among vegetable host plants. Sweet corn, okra, bell pepper, and tomato were very susceptible and experienced the highest injury rate per stink bug. The implications of these findings with respect to sampling and management of H. halys in vegetable production are discussed.