Improved Captures of the Invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys, Using a Novel Multimodal Trap

Abstract

Capture strategies for the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), are challenging. Here we developed and evaluated a multimodal trap which combines visual and olfactory stimuli. Visual stimuli consisted of LEDs emitting UV-A and visible light. Olfactory stimuli were comprised of the synthetic aggregation pheromone and odours from trapped H. halys individuals. Stink bug attraction at different wavelengths was evaluated in laboratory two-choice bioassays, and different prototypes of the trap were tested in 2021 in natural, agricultural, and urban settings. Traps with a combination of UV-A and blue or green visible wavelengths provided higher H. halys attraction (up to ~8-fold) compared to traditional sticky or small pyramidal traps. The concurrent presence of synthetic pheromone and LED had a synergistic effect on H. halys positive phototaxis. Further development and implementation of the multimodal trap is discussed for prospective use in attract-and-kill or push–pull strategies.

Attenuation of ultraviolet (UV) radiation does not impede host location in egg parasitoids with positive UV phototaxis

“…Our parasitoids were inactive during the scotophase, but we did not test how supplementing UV radiation at night could affect their daily activity. While a stimulatory effect of UV radiation appears to explain the increasing activity in some insects (Johansen et al, 2011), our opposing results may result from an arrestment response (i.e., inhibition of dispersal) following a UV-seeking behaviour in our parasitoids, as found in stink bugs resting on UV-emitting traps (Rondoni et al, 2022).…”

“…and Trissolcus spp. have also been found to be attracted to UV‐A radiation (Endo & Hironaka, 2017), both host and parasitoid could show similar UV wavelength‐dependent behaviours, potentially compromising the benefits of UV manipulation (e.g., UV‐emitting traps; Rondoni et al, 2022) for increasing crop yield. However, observing an attraction to UV radiation in confined, controlled conditions (microhabitat level) does not necessarily translate to observable effects on parasitism rate in larger, more natural settings (macrohabitat level), as Chiel et al (2006) found for aphid and whitefly parasitoids.…”

“…Whereas UV photons escape human perception, both UV photosensitivity and phototaxis, whether positive or negative, have been described in many diurnal and nocturnal insects (van der Kooi et al, 2020) and arachnids (Li & Lim, 2005; Sakai & Osakabe, 2010), using electroretinograms (Peach et al, 2019) and behavioural assays (Baik et al, 2019). UV‐emitting lamps and UV‐absorbing nets or films can help suppress pest populations in natural and semi‐controlled (e.g., field tunnel, greenhouse) conditions by killing and monitoring them with attractive traps (Cowan & Gries, 2009; Rondoni et al, 2022) or by reducing their dispersal flight activity with UV attenuation (Antignus et al, 2001; Cramer et al, 2019; Legarrea, Diaz, et al, 2012; Miranda et al, 2015; Nguyen et al, 2009). There has been little attention, however, on how UV radiation affects foraging in arthropod natural enemies, despite it being important to evaluate the potential benefits and/or drawbacks of UV manipulation in protected cultivation (Johansen et al, 2011).…”

Comparison of Phototactic Behavior between Two Migratory Pests, Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera frugiperda

“…Response behaviors and phototactic mechanisms of insects to different light sources are the main objectives of light-trap technology in order to develop pest control technology using new light sources such as LEDs. Wavelength selectivity and high intensity of LEDs enable them to be specifically designed for targeting pests, protecting biodiversity and the environment [ 26 , 35 ]. S. frugiperda showed the highest average phototactic rate to blue light among the five different LED lights.…”

Increasing catches of adult moth pests (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in pome fruit with low‐intensity LED lights added to sex pheromone/kairomone lure‐baited traps

“…An interesting group of studies have been reported with stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), such as Halyomorpha halys (Stål) and the green stink bugs Nezara spp. (Cambridge et al, 2017; Endo et al, 2022; Rice et al, 2017; Rondoni et al, 2022). Similar studies with several moth species, such as the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), the Indian meal moth (IMM), Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and the tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), have used traps with lights plus sex pheromone/kairomone baits for mass trapping adults (Henneberry et al, 1967; Pezhman & Saeidi, 2018; Sambaraju & Phillips, 2008).…”