| Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an Asian species that has become widely distributed in the Mid-Atlantic States since its confirmed introduction in 1996. Initially, there was confusion regarding the proper identification of H. halys leading to a 5 year period where H. halys populations went unchecked, until its correct identification by E. R. Hoebeke in 2001. One concern with invasive species is that population densities can be higher in the introduced environment due, in part, to release from natural enemies or lack of host plant resistance. In its native distribution, H. halys has a wide host range and is considered a pest of agricultural crops. Life-history surveys and laboratory developmental rate studies revealed that H. halys is univoltine in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, requiring 538DD to complete development. Females emerging from diapause require an additional 148DD prior to oviposition, during which time, they utilize apple and pear trees. Surveys in ornamentals, tree fruit, and soybean demonstrate that H. halys has become the predominant species of stink bug in these commodities, outnumbering native pentatomid species. Sampling demonstrates that while beat or sweep net sampling provides population estimates and seasonality, blacklight traps are a valuable tool to monitor adult dispersal. Monitoring for stink bugs often employs the use of traps baited with an aggregation pheromone that is attractive to all life stages. The large yellow pyramid traps baited with methyl (E,E,Z) 2,4,6-decatrientoate aggregation pheromone caught the most H. halys than other trap designs, especially in late-August to mid-September when imaginal ecdysis of the 1st generation adults occurs. Results show that at commercial farms, H. halys is present during the susceptible growing stages in apple, pear, and soybean, causing minimum of 25.9% injured fruit per tree. Laboratory insecticidal bioassays, primarily pyrethroid and neo-nicotinoids, were evaluated against H. halys. Pyrethroid and neo-nicotinoids caused high mortality at low concentrations. Males were significant less susceptible than females for thiomethoxam, but this was not evident for the other chemicals tested. The results demonstrate that H. halys has become well established in the Mid-Atlantic Region and there is a need for the development of control programs. |
