Exclusion of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug from Organically Grown Peppers Using Barrier Screens

Abstract

<jats:p>The brown marmorated stink bug (<jats:italic>Halyomorpha halys</jats:italic>) is a nonnative insect that damages vegetables and other crops in the United States. Because of the current lack of effective control options for organic growers to combat this pest, barrier screens with different mesh sizes were evaluated in their ability to exclude the brown marmorated stink bug, provide entry to beneficial species, and to produce a high percentage of marketable yield. Barrier screens with 1/6-, 1/8-, and 1/25-inch mesh sizes, along with unscreened controls, covered ‘Aristotle’ bell pepper (<jats:italic>Capsicum annuum</jats:italic>) plants at field sites in Kentucky and Tennessee in 2013–14. In Kentucky, where brown marmorated stink bug pressure was low, overshading decreased the marketable yield under dark, 1/25-inch mesh screens in 2013. Outbreaks of aphids (Aphididae) under light-colored, 1/25-inch mesh plots in 2014 suggest a higher risk of secondary pests proliferating under these screens. In Tennessee, where brown marmorated stink bug pressure was higher and light colored, 1/25-inch mesh screens were tested in 2013–14, the 1/25-inch mesh plots produced the highest yield, due to the general exclusion of insects and protection from sunscald. In areas with small brown marmorated stink bug populations, lighter colored, and/or wider meshes (1/8-inch or 1/6-inch) may be required to allow the entry of sunlight and beneficial species. In areas with higher brown marmorated stink bug pressure, finer meshes (1/25-inch) may be appropriate to exclude larger populations of pests and to protect the crop from sunscald.</jats:p>

An update of the Worldwide Integrated Assessment (WIA) on systemic insecticides. Part 3: alternatives to systemic insecticides

“…Their use has been proposed to protect orchards from moth invasion, with positive effects in aphid population densities reduction (Dib et al 2010 ; Sauphanor et al 2012 ). More recently, the use of exclusion netting has been suggested for the control of the invasive pests H. halys and D. suzukii (Dobson et al 2016 ; Rogers et al 2016 ; Leach et al 2016 ). These pests are generalist feeders that can repeatedly invade orchards during a season.…”

Lethal and sublethal effects of long‐lasting insecticide‐treated nets on the invasive bug Halyomorpha halys

“…The efficacy of insect nets barriers was also evaluated against the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) Halyomorpha halys Stål (Heteroptera, Pentatomidae), a severe polyphagous crop pest native to eastern Asia, which was accidentally introduced in North America and Europe (Bessin, Dobson, Moore, & Rogers, ; Dobson, Rogers, Moore, & Bessin, ; Hoebeke & Carter, ; Wermelinger, Wyniger, & Forster, ). BMSB is currently controlled by regular insecticide applications, but they are not a suitable long‐term approach; in some cases, the approach of the chemical control of BMSB lead to partial or even complete failure of previously consolidated IPM programmes (Herlihy, Talamas, & Weber, ; Kuhar & Kamminga, ; Lee, Short, Joseph, Bergh, & Leskey, ; Rice et al., ).…”

Seasonal Dynamics and Damage of Halyomorpha halys in Italian Vineyards

“…It is undeniable that Pentatomidae may transmit pathogens, especially fungi [ 67 , 68 ]; however, specific studies on the plant–pathogen system involving the brown marmorated stink bug are still lacking. Of the few available, on cherries, H. halys infestations increased the number of fruits with fungal infections [ 26 ], and on fruits and vegetables, this pest was able to transmit yeasts [ 69 ], as well as other fungi and bacteria [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 70 ]. The increase in grey mold infection should thus be considered as a threat to grapevine production.…”