Phenology of brown marmorated stink bug described using female reproductive development

Abstract

Temperature‐based degree‐day models describe insect seasonality and to predict key phenological events. We expand on the use of a temperature‐based process defining timing of reproduction through the incorporation of female reproductive physiology for the invasive pentatomid species Halyomorpha halys, the brown marmorated stink bug. A five‐stage ranking system based on ovary development was able to distinguish between the reproductive statuses of field‐collected females. Application of this ranking method described aspects of H. halys’ seasonality, overwintering biology, and phenology across geographic locations. Female H. halys were collected in the US from NJ, WV, NC, OR, and two sites in PA in 2006–2008 (Allentown, PA only) and 2012–2014. Results identify that H. halys enters reproductive diapause in temperate locations in the fall and that a delay occurs in developmental maturity after diapause termination in the spring. Modification of the Snyder method to identify biofix determined 12.7‐hr photoperiod as the best fit to define initiation of reproduction in the spring. Applying the biofix, we demonstrated significant differences between locations for the rate at which the overwintering generation transition into reproductive status and the factors contributing to this difference require further study. For example, after including abiotic variables influencing development such as temperature and photoperiod (critical diapause cue), reproduction occurred earlier in OR and for an extended period in NJ. This data describe a method to investigate insect seasonality by incorporating physiological development across multiple regions that can clarify phenology for insects with overlapping generations.

Nutrient declines in overwintering Halyomorpha halys populations

“…Females were dissected to determine reproductive status according to Nielsen et al (2017), data are presented in Skillman (2017). Females were dissected to determine reproductive status according to Nielsen et al (2017), data are presented in Skillman (2017).…”

Ecology of female mating failure/lifelong virginity: a review of causal mechanisms in insects and arachnids

“…Mating status of individual females is most often determined based on the presence/absence of spermatophore in the bursa copulatrix; extent of FMF can be assessed at the population level with sentinel, tethered, or feral females (Rhainds, 2010;Nielsen et al, 2017). Females in natural populations can be collected using an array of sampling procedures (resident females on host plants, in-flight females captured with light traps or malaise traps, migrant females collected in the airspace, and females collected postmortem on drop trays; Rhainds, 2013Rhainds, , 2015.…”

“…Females in natural populations can be collected using an array of sampling procedures (resident females on host plants, in-flight females captured with light traps or malaise traps, migrant females collected in the airspace, and females collected postmortem on drop trays; Rhainds, 2013Rhainds, , 2015. Studies that report mating probabilities for multiple sampling procedures are useful to contrast behavioral processes among virgin and mated females (Wada et al, 1980;Rhainds, 2013;Cheng et al, 2016;Nielsen et al, 2017). Sampling tools that target live individuals (resident, inflight, migrant females) provide punctual assessments of lifelong virginity at the time of sampling; punctual virginity may underestimate demographic rate of FMF because some females would have eventually mated in their hypothetical (post sampling) life.…”

Natal origin of the invasive biosecurity pest, brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys: Penatomidae), determined by dual‐element stable isotope‐ratio mass spectrometry

“…These had been collected from various NZL regions through 2014–2016 (Table ). Only samples collected during the time of year that corresponded with the development time of UnKSB (see) were used.…”