Identifying a Potential Trap Crop for a Novel Insect Pest,Halyomorpha halys(Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in Organic Farms

Abstract

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, poses significant risk to organic farming systems because they rely on biological control, nonsynthetic inputs, and cultural tactics for pest management. This study evaluated the potential of five crop plants (sorghum, admiral pea, millet, okra, and sunflower) to be used as trap crops under organic production in four mid-Atlantic states. Stink bug (H. halys and endemic species) densities and host plant phenologies were recorded weekly (mid-June through September). Sorghum attracted significantly more H. halys than the other crops evaluated, followed by sunflower and okra. Seasonal average H. halys density was 1.5-4× higher on sorghum than the other crops (P < 0.05), depending on site. Endemic stink bugs were equally attracted to all crops except admiral pea. A significant effect of time was detected (P < 0.0001), with H. halys densities initially higher on sunflower; as the sunflower senesced, sorghum supported significantly higher average H. halys densities. While sunflower and sorghum phenologies differed, these crops together provided a 5-wk attraction period coinciding with peak H. halys activity. The efficacies of pheromone-baited traps, flaming, applying OMRI-approved insecticides (Azera and Venerate), and vacuuming to removing stink bugs were evaluated as a management tactic. Flaming was the most effective treatment against H. halys and endemic stink bugs. Our results suggest that a trap crop composed of sorghum and sunflower may be an effective management tool for the mid-Atlantic stink bug complex, including H. halys. Future research should address the appropriate size and placement of trap crop within the farm.

Behavioural response of the invasive Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) to host plant stimuli augmented with semiochemicals in the field

“…Halyomorpha halys is extremely polyphagous, feeding on 100+ species of plants (Leskey et al ., ; Rice et al ., ; http://www.stopbmsb.org). However, even for such a generalist, previous work has demonstrated that certain crop species, such as sorghum and sunflower, are more attractive than other crops to H. halys (Nielsen et al ., ). Specifically, a trap crop of sunflower and sorghum has been shown to be promising in attracting and retaining H. halys adults compared with a cash crop of bell pepper (Soergel et al ., ; Blaauw et al ., ).…”

Plant Stimuli and Their Impact on Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Dispersal and Host Selection

“…As plants mature, their palatability and thus suitability for insect development changes (e.g., Schumann and Todd, 1982;Awmack and Leather, 2002;Nielsen et al, 2016). We established that H. halys nymph attraction to host plants changes with plant growth stage.…”

Successful management of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in commercial apple orchards with an attract‐and‐kill strategy

“…One such tactic uses weekly border insecticide applications in peach orchards along with a suite of other integrated pest management (IPM) tactics to reduce overall insecticide usage . Nielsen et al . demonstrated a differential attraction of H. halys to various crops, particularly sorghum and sunflower.…”

“…One such tactic uses weekly border insecticide applications in peach orchards along with a suite of other integrated pest management (IPM) tactics to reduce overall insecticide usage. 24 Nielsen et al 25 demonstrated a differential attraction of H. halys to various crops, particularly sorghum and sunflower. However, trap cropping using a border of sunflower and sorghum, 26,27 which have been shown to arrest H. halys movement into the cash crop, 28 was not successful at reducing damage to bell peppers.…”