Influence of Landscape Factors and Abiotic Conditions on Dispersal Behavior and Overwintering Site Selection by Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Since the initial detection of the invasive Halyomorpha halys (Stål) in the United States in the late 1990s, this insect has emerged as a severe agricultural and nuisance pest. Nuisance problems are due to adult dispersal to overwintering sites in the fall at which time they alight onto and eventually settle within human-made structures in addition to natural harborage. This study examined how three factors, elevation, light, and moisture affected overwintering site selection by H. halys in the mid-Atlantic. Observational counts performed along elevational transects revealed elevation was significant predictor of H. halys abundance during both years of the study in 2014 and 2015 with more adults observed at higher elevations. Choice tests examining effects of moisture and light on settling behavior demonstrated H. halys settled within overwintering shelter boxes in significantly greater numbers when shelters were dry compared with those having moist conditions, and in darkened shelters compared with those augmented with LED lights. Our findings indicate that H. halys use cues at both landscape and very localized levels when seeking and selecting overwintering sites.</jats:p>

Formation of overwintering aggregation of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in laboratory conditions

“…First, many insect species are known to prefer specific micro-structures that can provide a suitable environment for overwintering. H. halys search for micro-structures such as dry and tight crevices, after alighting on either artificial or natural larger structures (Chambers et al 2020;Cullum et al 2020;Inkley 2012;Lee et al 2014). Cullum et al (2020) found that more overwintering H. halys settled in dry traps than in wet ones.…”

“…H. halys search for micro-structures such as dry and tight crevices, after alighting on either artificial or natural larger structures (Chambers et al 2020;Cullum et al 2020;Inkley 2012;Lee et al 2014). Cullum et al (2020) found that more overwintering H. halys settled in dry traps than in wet ones. In addition, Chambers et al (2020) overwintering H. halys and found that they tended to settle where the cavity was between 4.5 and 5.5 mm wide.…”

“…2020; Cullum et al . 2020; Inkley 2012; Lee et al . 2014).…”

Brown marmorated stink bug overwintering aggregations are not regulated through vibrational signals during autumn dispersal

“…However, far less is known about the formation of H. halys aggregations within overwintering sites. Halyomorpha halys appears to select overwintering sites that are cool, tight, dark and dry [18,20] and, while overwintering, do not respond to their aggregation pheromone [21]. Thus, cues involved in cluster formation in overwintering sites appear not to involve visual or olfactory cues, but perhaps could include vibrational stimuli.…”

“…A key unanswered question is what factors regulate the formation of the initial aggregations prior to dispersal to overwintering sites where adults tightly cluster for the winter diapause [17]. During the autumn dispersal period, H. halys chooses sites higher in elevation, as well as ones that are dry and dark [18], while preferred anthropogenic structures on which to alight during autumn dispersal include those that are composed of wood, cement or stone and those that are darker in coloration [19]. However, far less is known about the formation of H. halys aggregations within overwintering sites.…”