An assessment of host preference, reproductive suitability and feeding injury of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, on selected vegetables

Abstract

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Heteroptera), is an invasive insect from Asia that has become a major agricultural pest of field and vegetable crops in the Mid-Atlantic States. A field study was conducted to asses the seasonal abundance, host plant preference, reproductive suitability, and injury potential of H. haly on green bean, sweet corn, eggplant, okra and bell pepper. H. halys abundance, life stage phenology, and resulting feeding injury were monitored biweekly throughout the growing season. Overall seasonal abundance consisted of both overwintered adults and their F1 progeny. Sweet corn, okra and bell pepper had significantly higher abundances of H. halys compared to green bean, eggplant, and tomato. Eggplant, okra and bell pepper were the most suitable host plants for H. halys reproduction and development. Sweet corn, okra, bell pepper and tomato were very susceptible to feeding injury and experienced the highest injury rate per stink bug day. The implications of these findings with respect to sampling and management of H. halys in vegetable production are discussed.