Pentatomid Bugs Research Articles

New record of Pentatomid Bugs, Erthesina Fullo Thunberg and Halys Dentatus Fabricius (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), feeding on Teak in Madhya Pradesh

Recent surveys in Teak forests of Madhya Pradesh revealed the occurrence of sap-sucking bugs, Erthesina fullo Thunberg and Halys dentatus Fabricius. This is the first record of occurrence of pentatomid bugs feeding on Teak.

First cases of exclusive paternal care in stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

We describe paternal care in two pentatomid bugs, Lopadusa (Lopadusa) augur Stal, 1860 and Edessa nigropunctata Berg, 1884. Field and laboratory observations showed that males remain with their eggs and early hatched nymphs, while females abandon the eggs after oviposition. Guarding males defensive behaviors towards their clutches were similar to those described for guarding females of pentatomids. Since there is no detailed information on the internal phylogeny of Pentatomidae, it is not possible to make a robust inference on whether paternal care in L. augur and E. nigropunctata has arisen independently or not. If the latter, the two new cases of paternal care we describe here represent the fifth event of independent evolution of this rare behavioral trait in Heteroptera.

A compendium of insect pests and natural enemies associated with soyabean (<i>Glycine max</i> (l.) Merrill in Calabar, a humid area

Field studies were carried out in 1992 and 1993 late cropping seasons to identify the species of insects and their effect on soyabeans in Calabar, a humid tropical environment. Two treatments were used, (that is sprayed and un- sprayed). Nuvacron (Monocrotophos), a systemic insecticide was applied at the rate of 400g a.i/ha using a CP3 knapsack sprayer. Spraying started six weeks (42 days) after planting and continued at three weekly intervals until three weeks to harvest. A total of three sprays were applied. Insect population was sampled using the direct observation and ground cloth methods. A total of thirty-seven insect species were recorded. Thirty-two of these insects were pests while five were predators. The most abundant insect pests were Coptosoma spp. belonging to the order Hemiptera, Family: Plataspidae. Others were Coleoptera (example, Lagria villosa; Chrysolagria cynicolis; Podagrica spp.; Chnootriba similis (=Epilachna similis Muls); Medythia quarterna; Chaetonecma pulla chapius) Pentatomid bugs such as Aspavia armigera (F), Nezara viridula (L) and Acrosternum acuta (Ray), Coreid bugs-Clavigralla spp. Riptorus dentipes, Alydidae, Cletus notatus, Mirperus spp and Paederus sabeaus); Orthoptera- e.g. Gymnogrillus lucens (Walker) Gryllidae). Others were unidentified lepidopterous caterpillars. Five predators were also recorded. These were Cheilomenes sulphurea (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Rhincoris bicolor (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), Black ants (unidentified), Sphrodomantis spp. and a number of unidentified spiders (Arachnidae). Journal of Applied Chemistry and Agricultural Research Vol. 4 1997: pp. 33-36

О щитниках рода Menaccarus (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) на территории бывшего СССР. Сообщение 2. Преимагинальные стадии

О щитниках рода Menaccarus (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae) на территории бывшего СССР. Сообщение 2. Преимагинальные стадии

Kairomone involvement in the host specificity of the egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae)

This paper reports the results of a comparative laboratory analysis of the behavioural responses of the egg parasitoid Tris- solcus basalis (Wollaston) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) to semiochemical cues from four species of pentatomid bugs, Nezara viridula (L.), Eurydema ventrale Klt., Murgantia histrionica Hahn. and Graphosoma semipunctatum F. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). In a Y-tube olfactometer, T. basalis was attracted by volatile chemicals from N. viridula, but not from other pentatomid species. In an open arena, the parasitoid reacted to chemical trails left on filter paper by all the species but most intensely to those left by N. viridula. However, upon encountering pentatomid eggs, T. basalis examined more intensely and probed more frequently the eggs of G. semipunctatum than those of the other species. The parasitoid only parasitized and emerged from eggs of G. semipunctatum and N. viridula; those of the other species were unsuitable. Therefore N. viridula is semiochemically confirmed to be a coevolved host (old association) of T. basalis, whereas G. semipunctatum may be a potential non-coevolved host (new association). The utility of these tests for defining a parasitoids' host specificity and in assessing the risk of non-target effects in biological control is discussed.

Sex Attractant Pheromone from the Neotropical Red-Shouldered Stink Bug, Thyanta perditor (F.)

Olfactometer bioassays showed that odors from mature Thyanta perditor males attracted females but not males. Furthermore, odors from females did not attract either sex, indicating that like other phytophagous pentatomid bugs, the males produce a sex pheromone. Attraction appeared to peak in late afternoon to evening. The headspace volatiles collected from male and female T. perditor were analyzed by GC-MS and HPLC. A male-specific compound, methyl (2E,4Z,6Z)-decatrienoate (2E,4Z,6Z-10:COOMe), was identified along with a number of other compounds found in extracts from both sexes. Bioassays carried out with 2E,4Z,6Z-10:COOMe showed it was as attractive to females as the crude extract of male volatiles, suggesting that the male-produced sex pheromone consists of 2E,4Z,6Z-10:COOMe as a single component. Consecutive volatiles collections from males showed that 2E,4Z,6Z-10:COOMe began appearing in extracts from males about 9 d after the final molt, as the males became sexually mature.

Predaceous Coccinellids in India: Predator-Prey Catalogue (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

A predator-prey catalogue of the Indian predaceous Coccinellidae is presented, which features an updated record of the coccinellid fauna along with their prey range, i.e., aphids, scale insects, mealy bugs, phytophagous mites, whiteflies, nymphs of pentatomid bugs, etc. The catalogue provides the prey record of 261 known predaceous coccinellids of India belonging to 57 genera. Prey record of certain predaceous species is not available. The catalogue lends support to the exploitation of the specific coccinellid predator for the biocontrol of its specific prey. It also reveals the occurrence of many coccinellids at a single prey site, showing the potential of many coccinellids against a single prey. Taxonomic relationship of the subfamilies (including tribes) of Coccinellidae with their prey range is also presented.

The first record of Orthostigma cratospilum (Thomson, 1895) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Alysiinae) in Poland, with a note on its host and a description of the female

The alysiine wasp, Orthostigma cratospilum, is reported for the first time from Poland (Dziekanow Leśny near Warsaw). It was found to parasitize the larvae of the phorid fly, Megaselia minor, which developed in dead pentatomid bugs, in the litter under pine trees. The hitherto unknown female of O. cratospilumis described.

Effects of host species on the body size, fecundity, and longevity of Trissolcus mitsukurii (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), a solitary egg parasitoid of stink bugs

An investigation was conducted to determine whether differences in host size of different species affect the body size, fecundity, and longevity of Trissolcus mitsukurii, a solitary egg parasitoid of stink bugs. The eggs of the Pentatomid bugs of Halyomorpha halys (large size), Plautia crossota stali (middle size), and Nezara viridula (small size) were supplied to T. mitsukurii and incubated until progeny emerged at 25±2°C and a photoperiod of LD 16 : 8. Both male and female parasitoids emerged with larger body sizes when they developed in large host eggs such as H. halys. Larger size parasitoids had greater longevity and larger size females showed higher fecundity.

The role of host semiochemicals in parasitoid specificity: a case study with Trissolcus brochymenae and Trissolcus simoni on pentatomid bugs

Abstract The role of semiochemicals on host specificity of two egg parasitoid species, the European Trissolcus simoni and the American Trissolcus brochymenae (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), was studied in an olfactometer and in different arenas. Cues from two allopatric pests of cabbage, the European Eurydema ventrale and the American Murgantia histrionica (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), and from the polyphagous and cosmopolitan Nezara viridula were tested. Both T. simoni and T. brochymenae responded to volatile and contact cues from their co-evolved hosts E. ventrale and M. histrionica , respectively, thus confirming the role of host semiochemicals in host location and recognition. When cues of non-co-evolved hosts were presented, a partial “new association” was obtained, as T. simoni probed and oviposited in M. histrionica eggs and some adult emergence occurred. However, this association is unlikely to occur in the field because T. simoni did not respond to volatile cues of M. histrionica . Instead T. brochymenae partially responded to volatile and contact cues from E. ventrale , but eggs were rarely accepted and parasitoids did not develop in this host. When N. viridula was tested, T. simoni responded only to contact cues, whereas T. brochymenae partially responded to volatile and contact cues, but N. viridula eggs were not suitable for development. Therefore, the N. viridula – T. brochymenae association reported from the literature appears unreliable. Understanding the mechanisms that result in host specificity may help increase parasitoid safety and predict their efficacy in biological control with old or new associations.

Substrate-borne vibrational signals of the Consperse stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

AbstractThere is increasing evidence that short-range reproductive behaviors of phytophagous pentatomid bugs are mediated by vibrational signals. These signals have not yet been examined for bugs in the genus Euschistus, which contains several species native to the Americas. Substrate-borne vibrational signals (songs) were recorded from both sexes of the Consperse stink bug, Euschistus conspersus Uhler, an economically important agricultural pest in western North America. Females produced two songs (FS-1 and FS-2), each consisting of a series of frequency-modulated pulses with a pulse duration of 352 ± 105 (mean ± SD) and 163 ± 36 ms, respectively. Males produced four distinct songs, two composed of frequency-modulated pulses (MS-1 and MS-3), one consisting of narrowband pulses (MS-2), and one composed of a series of 1–6 short pulses, many of which were fused to form distinct pulse trains (MS-4). For both males and females, songs consisting of very short, frequency-modulated pulses (FS-2 and MS-3), with a mean pulse duration <170 ms, were emitted when the other member of the pair was silent. Songs made up of longer, frequency-modulated pulses (FS-1 and MS-1) were produced spontaneously and in response to songs from conspecifics. Pulses of MS-2 were produced by a male once a duet with a female had been initiated. This song had no frequency modulation and a longer mean pulse repetition time than MS-1. The two female songs and three of the male songs (MS-1, MS-2, and MS-3) were produced during the calling phase of mating behavior. Pulse trains of MS-4 were emitted during close-range courtship. During copulation males produced intermittent pulses of MS-1, the function of which is unknown. Dominant frequencies of all songs ranged from 102 to 136 Hz, comparable with those of other pentatomid songs. Although there were superficial similarities in the song structures of E. conspersus when compared with those of other pentatomid species, the song repertoire of E. conspersus was distinct and unique.

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To evaluate the effects of soybean trap crops and maize barrier crops on the occurrence of and damage caused by pentatomid bugs and lepidopterous pod borers in soybean fields, the suitability of early maturing cultivars of soybean (Glycine max) and dent maize (Zea mays ssp. dentata) to protect medium- and medium-late-maturing cultivars of soybean were investigated in 1999 and 2000. Five species of Pentatomidae, Riptortus clavatus, Piezodorus hybneri, Halyomorpha mista, Plautia stali, and Nezara antennata, were observed in the soybean fields during August and September. The population of N. antennata was very small in both years. The numbers of R. clavatus, P. hybneri, and H. mista were relatively constant in both years, but the numbers of P. stali differed between years. R. clavatus and P. hybneri did not aggregate on the trap crops. In August 1999, P. stali were crowded on the trap crops and subsequently moved to the field crops. There was no difference in the damage caused by pentatomids between the soybean blocks separated by the barrier crop, except the damage at the early developmental stage of seeds in 1999. These results suggest that neither trap crops nor barrier crops are effective in controlling pentatomids, though they may be suitable for monitoring P. stali. On the other hand, the barrier crops had an effect on the damage caused by lepidopterous pod borers in both years. Especially in 1999, the soybean crops surrounded by the barrier crop showed as little damage as crops that had been sprayed twice with an insecticide (fenvalerate+fenitrothion). This result indicates a usefulness of barrier crops for control of lepidopterous pod borers. However, the effectiveness of the barrier crops must be investigated further.

Predators of Mesoplatys ochroptera in sesbania planted-fallows in eastern Zambia

Mesoplatys ochroptera Stal (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a serious pest of the tropical legume sesbania (Sesbania sesban (L.) Merrill) widely used for soil fertility improvement in southern Africa. Surveys were conducted between October 1997 and June 1999 in order to identify the predators of M. ochroptera in sesbania fallows in eastern Zambia. The Heteroptera Afrius yolofa (Guerin-Meneville), Glypsus conspicuus (Westwood), Macrorhaphis acuta Dallas, Mecosoma mensor (Germar), Rhinocoris segmentarius (Germar), and Deraeocoris ostentans (Stal), the carabid beetle Cyaneodinodes fasciger (Chaudoir), the ants Tetramorium sericeiventre Emery and Pheidole sp., and the lacewing Mallada sp. were recorded as predators of M. ochroptera for the first time. The pentatomid bugs G. conspicuus, M. acuta and M. mensor were the most common predators in sesbania fallows. Adults and the different nymphal stages of the three species preyed on larvae, adults and occasionally on eggs of the beetle. In the insectary, the adults of G. conspicuus, M. acuta and M. mensor consumed a significantly higher number of larvae (p < 0.001) compared to adults of M. ochroptera under both free-choice and no-choice conditions. The voracity of the three species showed a positive response to prey density. The fifth instar nymphs showed variation in daily consumption of larvae, the highest number of prey being consumed two to three days after the fourth molt. These predators also attacked other pests associated with sesbania and crop plants. The potential role of the predators in the natural control of pests in agroforestry systems is discussed, with a review of their prey species.

Abundance, Distribution, and Availability of Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) Hosts in a Soybean Agricultural System in Southeastern Queensland

Seasonal patterns of abundance and distribution of all life stages of known Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) host species on different plant species in a soybean agricultural system in southeastern Queensland, Australia are reported. In particular, the seasonal phenology of different bug species is described with emphasis on periods of oviposition. Twelve hosts for T. basalis were identified, with three pentatomid bugs, green vegetable bug, green stink bug, and horehound bug, predominating. These three species appear to undergo at least three generations per year with mating and oviposition occurring during all months between September and April but mainly during October and January–April. Horehound bug is the only known T. basalis host that does not diapause during winter and continues to oviposit during winter at low levels. These results suggest that T. basalis is not host limited temporally except during winter when hosts are scarce. Results also show that T. basalis hosts are spatially aggregated at a number of levels, but how this affects T. basalis and the subsequent degree of biological control has yet to be investigated.

Multiple host use by the egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) in a soybean agricultural system: biological control and environmental implications

Summary1 Species of bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae and other families) that are parasitized by the egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) in the soybean agricultural system on the Darling Downs in south‐eastern Queensland, Australia, are reported. The degree to which eggs of each bug species are used by T. basalis is quantified, which allows assessment of the role of these alternative host species in the biological control of the green vegetable bug Nezara viridula (L.).2 Egg masses of nine species of pentatomid bugs and one unidentified bug species were collected. Parasitism rates of egg masses of all species averaged 50–70% but were significantly lower for the more important pest species, including the green vegetable bug, than for some of the agriculturally less important species.3 Trissolcus basalis emerged from nearly all species collected and was the major parasitoid to emerge from most species. A number of native species were parasitized heavily by T. basalis and parasitism of such species may enhance biological control of the green vegetable bug, but may also pose environmental concerns. Parasitism of predatory bugs by T. basalis may have a negative impact on the biological control of other pests, especially lepidopterous pests.4 Although the impact of T. basalis on native and predatory host species was not directly quantified, these host species remain abundant and therefore do not appear to be affected adversely by such high rates of parasitism.

Patch Defence in the Parasitoid Wasp Trissolcus Basalis: When to Begin Fighting?

AbstractForagers that exploit defendable patches are faced with a trade-off, between exploiting the patch, and defending it against competitors. In insect parasitoids, this trade-off is compounded by the fact that the host resources are not consumed, but remain in the environment after being exploited and therefore are still vulnerable to attack by competitors. The parasitoid wasp Trissolcus basalis (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) exploits the egg masses of pentatomid bugs, and females are able to monopolise and defend patches of hosts. However, females usually do not begin fighting immediately, but co-exploit the patch without aggression for some time. This paper uses survival analysis to examine their decision-making rules with respect to when to begin defending a patch. The decision to begin fighting was influenced by the size of the patch, the number of offspring previously invested in the patch, the encounter rate with con specifics, and the encounter rate with unparasitised hosts. These factors reflect a balance between defending the resource and defending offspring, and highlight the increasing value of a patch to a female as she invests more offspring in it.

The pay‐off from superparasitism in the egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis, in relation to patch defence

1. In species such as quasi‐gregarious egg parasitoids, which exploit defendable patches, the fitness pay‐off from superparasitism is an important factor in considering the evolution of patch defence and optimal patch defence strategies.2. When oviposition in a previously parasitized host has a non‐zero fitness pay‐off, competing parasitoids are not only able to diminish the future value of a patch to other females by depleting unparasitized hosts, but also devalue the previous investment of other females in the patch by superparasitizing.3. In Trissolcus basalis, an egg parasitoid of pentatomid bugs, the fitness pay‐off from superparasitism is higher than 0.5 when the time interval between ovipositions is less than 3 h, suggesting that defending a previous investment will be an important component of patch defence behaviour.4. The data suggest a mechanism for the high early pay‐off, which involves the superparasitizing female adjusting the sex ratio of its offspring in favour of males. Males develop more quickly than females and thus may have a competitive advantage.

Vortex Formation During Tethered Flight of Functionally and Morphologically Two-Winged Insects, Including Evolutionary Considerations on Insect Flight

ABSTRACT Tethered flight of six insect species (two pentatomid bugs, a moth, a butterfly, a muscid fly and a crane fly) was studied using several modifications of a dust flow visualization procedure. The spatial structure of the near vortex wake of flying specimens was reconstructed on the basis of two-dimensional flow pictures. The dynamics of the wake was followed during a stroke cycle, revealing interspecific differences in vortex formation. It is suggested that insects create a single vortex ring during each stroke. Therefore, the hypothesis of double vortex chains advanced by Brodsky is not verified. The same is true of the jet hypothesis of Bocharova-Messner. While pronating at the top of their trajectory, the flapping wings throw air masses off their lower surfaces, but there is not a jet from between their upper sides. Flow separation from leading edges was found to be a rare phenomenon, taking place irregularly during the stroke cycle. That is why, contrary to widespread theoretical expectations, the Weis-Fogh fling mechanism is not likely to contain a leading edge separation bubble, which must follow stalling at the front part of the wings. It is suggested that flying animals possess special mechanisms for extracting energy back from the near vortex wake. Some hypothetical adaptations for such an extraction in insects are put forward. Possible pathways for the evolution of insect flight are described.

果樹カメムシ類の生態と防除に関する研究 第２報 重回帰分析によるツヤアオカメムシおよびチャバネアオカメムシの発生量の予測

果樹カメムシ類の生態と防除に関する研究 第２報 重回帰分析によるツヤアオカメムシおよびチャバネアオカメムシの発生量の予測

果樹カメムシ類の生態と防除に関する研究 第１報 １９９１年の宮崎県における異常発生とその要因

果樹カメムシ類の生態と防除に関する研究 第１報 １９９１年の宮崎県における異常発生とその要因