Economic injury levels for southern green stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in R7 growth stage soybeans

Stink bugs, primarily southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), are a major pest complex of soybeans (Glycine max) throughout the southern United States. Densities sometimes peak during late R6 and R7 soybean growth stages when soybeans are approaching physiology maturity and the rate of injury from stink bugs is reduced. Field cage trials were conducted from 2005 to 2008 to examine the type and extent of soybean damage caused by southern green stink bugs during the R7 growth stage. The yield response was variable, but overall was not significant. The impact of southern green stink bugs on quality was more consistent. Test weight decreased, and heat damage and total damage increased as stink bug density increased. Based on these data, three economic injury models were developed using different assumptions. The model that assumes no yield loss, does not predict economic injury within the range of stink bug densities tested. However, if the statistically non-significant yield losses are accepted as real, then the models suggest that the southern green stink bug economic injury level and action threshold for soybeans during R7 stage is generally between nine and 15 stink bugs per row m.     

Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Stink Bugs in Southeastern Farmscapes

A 3-yr study (2009–2011) was conducted to examine the spatial and temporal dynamics of stink bugs in three commercial farmscapes. Study locations were replicated in South Carolina and Georgia, in an agriculturally diverse region known as the southeastern coastal plain. Crops included wheat, Triticum aestivum (L.), corn, Zea mays (L.), soybean, Glycine max (L.), cotton, Gossypium hirsutum (L.), and peanut, Arachis hypogaea (L.). Farmscapes were sampled weekly using whole-plant examinations for corn, with all other crops sampled using sweep nets. The predominant pest species of phytophagous stink bugs were the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say), the green stink bug, Chinavia hilaris (Say), and the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.). Chi-square tests indicated a departure from a normal distribution in 77% of analyses of the variance to mean ratio, with 37% of slopes of Taylor’s power law and 30% of coefficient β of Iwao’s patchiness regression significantly greater than one, indicating aggregated distributions. Spatial Analyses by Distance IndicEs (SADIE) indicated aggregated patterns of stink bugs in 18% of year-end totals and 42% of weekly counts, with 80% of adults and nymphs positively associated using the SADIE association tool. Maximum stink bug densities in each crop occurred when the plants were producing fruit. Stink bugs exhibited greater densities in crops adjacent to soybean in Barnwell and Lee Counties compared with crops adjacent to corn or fallow areas. The diversity of crops and relatively small size of fields in the Southeast leads to colonization of patches within a farmscape. The ecological and management implications of the spatial and temporal distribution of stink bugs within farmscapes are discussed.     

Effect of green-belly stink bug,Dichelops furcatus (F.) on wheat yield and development

The green belly stink bug, Dichelops furcatus (F.) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) is a pest of corn and soybean in southern Brazil. It also occurs on wheat, but information on its damage to this crop is limited. To determine the need for sustainable IPM programs, the impact of this bug on wheat production should be determined. Studies were conducted in the screenhouse with 1, 2 and 4 bugs caged for 16 days on single plants, cv. ‘BRS Parrudo’. During the vegetative period (plants ca. 25 cm tall), all infestation levels significantly reduced plant height and ear head length, but did not reduce grain yield. Feeding damage caused tissue necrosis on leaves. During the booting stage, grain yield was significantly reduced with 2 and 4 bugs per plant; ear heads were small, discolored and abnormally developed. In 2013 and 2014 field trials, plants were infested for 18 days with 2, 4 and 8 bugs per m² at vegetative, booting, and milky grain stage. At these infestation levels, there was no significant reduction in grain yield. There was a significant decrease in the number of normal seedlings resulting from seeds exposed to 8 bugs per m² at the milky grain stage. Results suggest that, in general, there is no need to control D. furcatus on wheat, unless numbers are ≥8 bugs per m² during reproductive period.     

Evaluation of soybean genotypes for field resistance to stink bugs in Nigeria

A number of soybean breeding lines and other genotypes were screened for resistance to stink bugs under field conditions at two locations (Mokwa and Ibadan) in Nigeria using two dates of planting (DOP) and no insecticides for 2 years. Stink bug populations were high during the first year and moderate the second year. Bug damage to pods was scored in the field and seed damage assessed in the laboratory using plant samples obtained from the field. Overall, damage was greater in Mokwa than in Ibadan. Visual damage scores ranged from 4·0 to 9·0 (scale 1–9) during the first DOP in the first year at Mokwa and 2–6 during the second DOP. During the second year, damage scores ranged from an average of 3·8 to 4·9 for both DOPs. Seed damage ranged from an average of 32% to 59%. Visual damage scores were negatively correlated with yield, such that lower yields were obtained where higher scores were given. Our results show that pod and seed damage was often greater in the upper portion of the plant in the varieties tested, thus indicating where the feeding activity of the insects was concentrated. A seed damage ratio (SDR) is computed and used, among other parameters, to select TGx 713-09D, TGx 307-048D, TGx 306-036C and TGx 814-036D as the genotypes manifesting the highest level of field resistance. These results are discussed in relation to the development of soybean varieties resistant to stink bugs.     

Aggregation and Association of NDVI,Boll Injury,and Stink Bugs in North Carolina Cotton

Sampling of herbivorous stink bugs in southeastern U.S. cotton remains problematic. Remote sensing was explored to improve sampling of these pests and associated boll injury. Two adjacent 14.5-ha cotton fields were grid sampled in 2011 and 2012 by collecting stink bug adults and bolls every week during the third, fourth, and fifth weeks of bloom. Satellite remote sensing data were collected during the third week of bloom during both years, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values were calculated. Stink bugs were spatially aggregated on the third week of bloom in 2011. Boll injury from stink bugs was spatially aggregated during the fourth week of bloom in 2012. The NDVI values were aggregated during both years. There was a positive association and correlation between stink bug numbers and NDVI values, as well as injured bolls and NDVI values, during the third week of bloom in 2011. During the third week of bloom in 2012, NDVI values were negatively correlated with stink bug numbers. During the fourth week of bloom in 2011, stink bug numbers and boll injury were both positively associated and correlated with NDVI values. During the fourth week of bloom in 2012, stink bugs were negatively correlated with NDVI values, and boll injury was negatively associated and correlated with NDVI values. This study suggests the potential of remote sensing as a tool to assist with sampling stink bugs in cotton, although more research is needed using NDVI and other plant measurements to predict stink bug injury.     

Corn earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) damage at various kernel development stages on food maize

Feeding by corn earworm, Heliocoverpa zea (Boddie), larvae lowers the quality of food maize by causing damage to kernels that results in discoloration of food maize products during cooking. This damage includes kernel cracking or nipping of kernels by larvae. Larval infestations were highest from first silk to early dough growth stages. Infestations during the silk and blister-dough stages caused the least amount of kernel damage on an ear. The area on an ear exposed to corn earworm damage during the blister, dough, or dent to harvest treatments was similar. Kernels were most susceptible to quality loss when they were hardening. Yield was not affected by corn earworm feeding, but the highest quality loss occurred on ears exposed to earworms during the dent-harvest period and throughout the season. Consequently, late season control actions (during the dough stage) would be more effective for reducing quality loss from corn earworm feeding on food maize, than is the present practice of spraying during the green silk stage.     

龙眼幼果期荔枝蝽的防治指标

测定了龙眼幼果期荔枝蝽(TessaratomapapilosaDrury)若虫密度与落果率的相关性及防治指标。结果表明,龙眼幼果期幼龄树及成龄树2龄若虫密度防治指标分别为1.6头/果穗和1.2头/果穗,而相应的有虫果穗率分别为33%和26%。同时,根据福建龙眼生产的实际情况,制定了不同产量、价格相应的虫口密度及有虫果穗率的防治指标,为防治提供理论依据。     

大豆“荚而不实”型“症青”与蝽类害虫为害的相关性及防控策略

为探明大豆症青与蝽类害虫的相关性,解决目前黄淮海流域大豆生产上"荚而不实"型"症青"的问题,归纳总结最新研究进展,对"荚而不实"型"症青"与点蜂缘蝽(Riptortus pedestris)等蝽类害虫为害的相关性做了简要剖析,结合大豆蝽类害虫的发生及为害特点,提出了当前大豆"症青"的防控策略。重点针对点蜂缘蝽等蝽类害虫开展统防统治和兼防兼治,控制越冬和早春虫源,抓住花荚期科学防治。以期为开展大豆"症青"发生及防控研究提供参考。     

Spatiotemporal Distribution of Chinavia hilaris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Corn Farmscapes

The green stink bug, Chinavia hilaris (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a pest of cotton in the southeastern United States but little is known concerning its spatiotemporal distribution in corn cropping systems. Therefore, the spatiotemporal distribution of C. hilaris in farmscapes, when corn was adjacent to cotton, peanut, or both, was examined weekly. The spatial patterns of C. hilaris counts were analyzed using Spatial Analysis by Distance Indices methodology. Interpolated maps of C. hilaris density were used to visualize abundance and distribution of C. hilaris in crops in corn–peanut–cotton farmscapes. This stink bug was detected in six of seven corn–cotton farmscapes, four of six corn–peanut farmscapes, and in both corn–peanut–cotton farmscapes. The frequency of C. hilaris in cotton (89.47%) was significantly higher than in peanut (7.02%) or corn (3.51%). This stink bug fed on noncrop hosts that grew in field borders adjacent to crops. The spatial distribution of C. hilaris in crops and the capture of C. hilaris adults and nymphs in pheromone-baited traps near noncrop hosts indicated that these hosts were sources of this stink bug dispersing into crops, primarily cotton. Significant aggregated spatial distributions were detected in cotton on some dates within corn–peanut–cotton farmscapes. Maps of local clustering indices depicted small patches of C. hilaris in cotton or cotton–sorghum at the peanut–cotton interface. Factors affecting the spatiotemporal dynamics of C. hilaris in corn farmscapes are discussed.     

Gross Morphology of Diseased Tissues in Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Molecular Characterization of an Associated Microsporidian

Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), commonly known in the U.S. as the southern green stink bug (SGSB), is a cosmopolitan, highly polyphagous feeder that causes severe damage to a wide range of agronomically important crops such as fruit, vegetable, grain, tobacco, and cotton, throughout much of the United States, and is a global pest of considerable ecological, agricultural, and economical interest. During dissection of female Nz. viridula, conspicuous black and brown spots or lesions were observed on various internal organs. To determine the cause of these spots or lesions, tissues of fat body, spermatheca, ovaries, and ovulated eggs were collected from healthy and infected individuals. The gross morphology of the spots was characterized, and the microorganisms associated with the infection were identified by amplicon sequencing of the V4 region of the small subunit rRNA gene. The presence of a microsporidian pathogen Nosema maddoxi, Becnel, Solter, Hajek, Huang, Sanscrainte, & Estep (Microsporidia: Nosematidae) which has been observed on other species of stink bug, was evidenced for the first time. The characterization of the gross morphology of this associated microsporidian may enable more rapid determination of microsporidia infection in stink bug colonies and field populations.     

Non-targeted insecticidal stress on the Neotropical brown stink bug Euschistus heros

Lethal and sublethal insecticide effects on non-targeted pest species are frequently neglected but have potential consequences for pest management and secondary pest outbreaks. Here, the lethal and demographic effects of four soybean insecticides (chlorantraniliprole, deltamethrin, pyriproxyfen, and spinosad, which are used against caterpillars, whiteflies, and green stink bugs) on the brown stink bug Euschistus heros (F.), the main stink bug species currently attacking Neotropical soybean fields, were assessed. Deltamethrin exhibited drastic acute mortality in adult females of E. heros with a median lethal time (LT₅₀) of 0.6 days, whereas pyriproxyfen treated females exhibited a survival similar to that of water-treated insects (LT₅₀ of 89 and 67 days, respectively). Chlorantraniliprole and spinosad-treated females exhibited intermediate survival with a TL₅₀ of 54 and 47 days, respectively. Further scrutiny of the three most selective insecticides (i.e., chlorantraniliprole, pyriproxyfen, and spinosad) using age-structured matrices to assess the demographic impact of these compounds under earlier exposure indicated that both pyriproxyfen and spinosad significantly reduced the population growth of the pest species by compromising the survival of eggs (<17% hatching) and 1st nymphs (LT₅₀ of 3 and 2 days, respectively) and fertility; these results were unlike those obtained for chlorantraniliprole- and water-treated controls, which exhibited less than 50% mortality during development. However, chlorantraniliprole significantly compromised the fertility of adult insects (>50% reduction compared with water-treated insects) to a greater extent than pyriproxyfen and spinosad, but without impairing insect population growth as much. Therefore, although pyriproxyfen and spinosad, besides deltamethrin, are not used to target the Neotropical brown stink bug, these insecticides adversely affected this pest species at the dose recommended for application on the label, thereby preventing its outbreak under such conditions.     

褐飞虱为害对水稻产量结构影响的研究

 采用标准虫态分期连续接虫方法，研究了褐飞虱为害对水稻产量结构的影响。结果表明，褐飞虱为害可造成水稻有效穗数和实粒数减少，千粒重下降，并皆最终导致产量降低。分蘖期是穗数减少的敏感生育朝；灌浆开始以后为影响千粒重的敏感生育期。褐飞虱为害早期需达到较大的虫口数量才能造成水稻有效穗数和实粒数显著减少。灌浆期水稻只要遭受一定虫量为害即可引起千粒重显著下降，相同虫量下不同起始受害时间及同生育期稻株不同虫量造成的损失均有显著差异，水稻被害时间越早、受害时间越长、虫量越多，造成的产量损失越大。     

东北地区亚洲玉米螟危害损失测定模型研究

研究并建立玉米螟产量损失与不同代数(一代、二代及一二代混合发生)幼虫数量及产量损失与产量构成因子、相关生育指标间的关系,便于制定更加准确且适应种群发生规律变化的防治指标。结果表明,不同生育期的玉米螟卵量与产量损失之间呈显著相关和回归关系,仅一代幼虫和仅二代幼虫的危害具有独立性,且第二代幼虫是造成玉米产量损失的主要世代。在此基础上,分别建立仅一代、仅二代玉米螟幼虫数量与产量损失的数学模型,并根据模型特性以叠加的方式得到一二代混合发生的玉米螟幼虫数量与产量损失之间的数学模型。     

Assessment of avoidable losses and economic injury levels for the sorghum head bug, Calocoris angustatus Leth. (Hemiptera:Miridae) in India

Avoidable losses and economic injury levels (EILs) were computed for the sorghum head bug, Calocoris angustatus Leth., on three cultivars during three rainy seasons (1985–1987) at ICRISAT. Grain yield in plots protected with 2–5 insecticide sprays (carbaryl at 500 g a.i./ha) between the half-anthesis and the dough stage was significantly higher than in untreated plots, with cost-benefit ratios > 1. Plots that were not protected at half-anthesis and/or complete-anthesis, and at milk and dough stages, suffered a significant loss in yield. Bug damage spoiled the grain quality in terms of germination, 1000-grain mass, grain hardness and percentage floaters. Three to four sprays between complete-anthesis and the dough stage prevented a significant reduction in grain quality. Head bug density at half-anthesis, complete-anthesis, milk and dough stages was significantly and negatively associated with grain yield. Bug density at different stages explained 43–94% of the variance in yield. Direct effects of bug numbers at the milk stage and the indirect effects of head bug density at other stages through the milk stage contributed towards maximum reduction in yield. Maximum avoidable losses were recorded in cultivar ICSV 1 (88·6%), followed by CSH 1 (69·9%), and CSH 5 (53·9% in 1986 and 55·0% in 1987). Loss in grain yield/ha due to one insect/panicle at half-anthesis and that based on natural increase, were 548 and 232 kg in CSH 5 during 1986 and 1987, respectively, 251 kg in ICSV 1, and 77 kg in CSH 1. EILs based on a cost-benefit ratio of 1:1 ranged from 1·3–1·4 insects/panicle for CSH 1, 0·4 for ICSV 1, and 0·4–0·6 and 0·2–0·4 for CSH 5 during 1986 and 1987, respectively. Simple cost estimates for insecticide sprays and the resultant saving in grain yield are a useful tool for decision-making in pest management.     

Relationship between potato cyst nematodes and their principal host. IV. Tolerance of potato cultivars and the effect of potato cyst nematode on initial plant growth

Summary Greenhouse experiments on the effects of white potato cyst nematode infestations (Globodera pallida Stone) on initial growth and development of a series of potato cultivars are compared with the results of field experiments on sandy and sandy-peat soils on the effect of nematode density on tuber yield. A simple greenhouse test, assessing root growth response to potato cyst nematode infection, provided a good insight into a cultivar's tolerance performance in the field early in the growing season. As a very limited number of plants is needed for the greenhouse test, screening for tolerance can be conducted in the early stages of a breeding programme.     

Spatiotemporal Distribution of Two Euschistus spp. Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Southeastern Farmscapes

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are ubiquitous, cryptic, phytophagous pests that are found in many crops. In agroecosystems, individuals disperse from adjacent noncrop hosts and tend to aggregate or cluster within fields. In this study, we characterized the distribution of Euschistus servus (Say) and Euschistus tristigmus (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) over 2 yr at three southeastern United States farmscapes. Stink bugs were captured in pheromone-baited traps, and Spatial Analysis by Distance Indices (SADIE) used to identify the location of significant aggregations by habitat type and season. Euschistus servus adults were more likely to be captured in pecan orchards, cotton, other crops, or unmanaged habitats than in woodland habitats. Significant aggregations of E. servus were detected in a variety of habitats including pecan, corn, cotton, peanut, and tobacco, as well as fallow and hay fields, pastures, and hedgerows. Fewer adult E. tristigmus were captured than E. servus adults, and E. tristigmus adults were typically trapped and aggregated in woodland habitats. The resulting data provide an important understanding regarding the seasonal movement and relative abundance levels of stink bug populations, which are critical to the development of integrated pest management strategies.     

Heritability of agronomic traits correlated with reduced stink bug damage in an F2:3 soybean population derived from IAC-100

In Brazil, some of the most important insect pests causing damage to soybean (Glycine max) are stink bugs. Soybean production would increase if varieties with enhanced resistance were developed. The aim of this work was to examine different traits associated with plant development, and yield-related traits, in an F_2:3 soybean population in a stink bug-infested field and to evaluate genetic parameters and correlations among those traits. The parents and progeny from 229 F₂ plants developed by crossing a resistant cultivar (IAC-100) with a susceptible cultivar (CD-215) were evaluated in three replications in a single environment. Seven agronomic traits and eight indicators of insect resistance were measured. Genotypes showed significant differences for all traits except lodging. The grain-filling period exhibited a positive genotypic correlation of 0.66 with hundred-seed weight, whereas a negative genotypic correlation of ?0.53 was found between pod damage index (%) and weight of healthy seeds. In general, a shorter pod-filling period, lower weight of hundred-seeds, lower indices of pod damage, and higher seed-yield per plant were phenotypic traits of genotypes resistant to these insects.     

Use of the response of two growth stages of cowpea to different population densities of the coreid bug, Clavigralla tomentosicollis (Stål.) to determine action threshold levels

The effects of increasing the population density of the cowpea coreid, Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stål., up to a maximum of 32 pairs of insects per cage, infested on cowpea at either early flowering or mid pod-fill, were studied in potted plants and field cages. Overall, the results show that increasing insect density resulted in a corresponding increase in damage to the crop (measured as abscission of fruiting bodies and as damage to pods and seeds). Yield reduction was approximately proportional to the bug population when low, with highly significant correlation coefficients. Damage to the crop and yield reduction were more drastic when infestation was made during flowering as opposed to infestation at podding; although there was some compensation of damage to fruiting bodies during the former growth phase, this was not sustained with increasing pest density. Suggested pest densities at which control measures should be initiated are two insects (fourth instar and over) per 10 plants at flowering and four insects at podding. Further studies on damage thresholds in multiple pest scenarios are suggested.     

The critical period for weed control in three corn (Zea mays L.) types

Knowledge of the crop-weed competition period is vital for designing effective weed management strategies in crop production systems. Field studies were conducted at the Agricultural Research Institute, Kahramanmaras, Turkey in 2013 and 2014 to determine the critical period for weed control (CPWC) in three corn (Zea mays L.) types (field corn, popcorn, and sweet corn). A four parameter log-logistic model described the relationship between relative crop yield to both increasing duration of weed interference and length of weed-free periods. The relative yield of corn was influenced by duration of weed-infested or weed-free period, regardless of corn types. Increasing periods of weed interference significantly reduced corn yields in both years. In field corn, the CPWC ranged from 175 to 788 growing degree days (GDD) in 2013 which corresponded to V2–V12 growth stages, and 165–655 GDD (V1–V10 growth stages) in 2014 based on the 5% acceptable yield loss (AYL) level. In popcorn, the CPWC ranged from 92 to 615 GDD (VE–V10 growth stages) in 2013 and 110–678 GDD (V1–V10 growth stages) in 2014. In sweet corn, the CPWC ranged from 203 to 611 GDD in 2013 (V2–V10 growth stages) and 182–632 GDD (V2–V10 growth stages) in 2014. The practical implication of this study is that weed management should be initiated around V1 stage and maintained weed-free up to V12 stage in all corn types to prevent yield losses greater than 5%. These findings could help corn producers improve the cost effectiveness and efficacy of their weed management programs.     

大豆害虫点蜂缘蝽研究进展

大豆“症青”现象是黄淮海流域大豆生产上亟待解决的重要问题。最新研究发现,“症青”现象与点蜂缘蝽的发生为害有着密不可分的联系。点蜂缘蝽是一种分布广泛的多食性害虫,近年来,该害虫持续发生并呈蔓延趋势,对我国大豆生产造成严重威胁。本文着重介绍了该虫的分布与寄主、为害特点、生物学特性、环境因子的影响、综合防治方法,为深入分析大豆“症青”现象形成机制、开展大豆害虫点蜂缘蝽综合治理研究以及相关政策制定等提供有益的参考。