MANAGEMENT OF THE BROWN MARMORATED STINK BUG

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1019754
• Multistate No.: NE-1944
• Project Start Date: Jun 1, 2019
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2023
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
208 MUELLER LABORATORY
UNIVERSITY PARK,PA 16802

Performing Department
Entomology

Non Technical Summary
The brown marmorated stink bug,Halyomorpha halysStål (BMSB) is a highly polyphagous stink bug of Asian origin. In its native range of China, Korea and Japan, it is considered a periodic agricultural pest of soybeans, tree fruit and various ornamental and vegetable crops. The brown marmorated stink bug is also a nuisance pest in these countries due to its overwintering behavior of entering enclosed structures such as residences in large numbers each fall. In the western United States growers in agricultural areas of California, Oregon and Washington where BMSB is becoming established are also concerned about its impacts because it has been shown to be damaging tree and nuts crops in these areas. In the United States where BMSB is currently a pest, it also attacks a wider range of agricultural crops than in Asia. Currently, damage is seen in numerous vegetables, tree fruit and field crops, and in nurseries. Due to this, failure to address this issue on a regional/national basis will result in severe losses in a variety of cropping systems including peaches, apples, soybeans and peppers resulting in economic hardships by growers and potential farm failures.A multi-state approach to this issue is warranted given the heavy losses incurred by agricultural producers in the eastern United States since 2010. In 2010, this insect's presence in mid-Atlantic apples resulted in $37 million in losses (American/Western Fruit Grower 2011) and in the tree fruit growing regions of Virginia and West Virginia damage approached 90% . Organic producers in this area observed similar amounts of damage to numerous fruits and vegetables. In 2011 and 2012, comparable damage levels were again observed in these and other eastern states and crops (apples, pears, peaches, tomatoes, peppers, grapes, brambles sweet and field corn and soybeans) from Virginia to New York. As a result of the current multistate project (NEERA 1306) and several USDA grants (OREI - 1, SCRI - 2) obtained by its members progress has been made in the management ofH. halysresulting in damage reductions in tree fruit and vegetables. However, these reductions continue to be the result of heavy insecticide use by growers and have resulted in outbreaks of secondary pests previously managed by natural enemies.Continuing the current multi-state project to address the on-going needs currently identified by the BMSB working group and others will bring together researchers already working on this issue in the Northeast and other parts of the United States once a year to discuss, identify, and adjust research needs and priorities, and present progress updates. This approach will also allow participating researchers to coordinate their activities to avoid duplication. Finally, since this insect has spread throughout the United States, creating a multi-state project has the potential to bring together researchers from the northeast, from other geographic regions and from other cropping systems not present in the Northeast (cotton, nuts, etc.).Traditionally, management of stink bugs in soybeans, tree fruit and horticultural crops was accomplished through the use of targeted applications of organophosphate insecticides. Many of the insecticides currently available to growers have variable effects (limited knockdown, recovery once treated, etc.) on resident populations and little or no residual effects on future invaders into treated fields and orchards. In the laboratory pyrethroid insecticides, the replacement for organophosphate insecticides in many cases, exhibit high levels of toxicity to the brown marmorated stink bug fifth instars and adults as do various neonicotinoid insecticides (imidacloprid and dinotefuran). Testing under field conditions has shown that pyrethroids such as bifenthrin to be the most efficacious.Two egg parasitoids and a tachinid fly have been observed attacking the brown marmorated stink bug in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey but are generalist natural enemies and therefore not specific to the brown marmorated stink bug. Several native predators, including minute pirate bugs, ladybugs and spiders do attack BMSB. However, as with native parasitoids their impact has been limited. The use of microbial agents is another potential non-chemical control method. However, to date, screening for possible candidates with toxicity to the brown marmorated stink bug has had limited success. Exploration in Asia to find possible biological control agents has identified several potential parasitoids. One,Trissolcus japonicus, a highly effective egg parasitoid of BMSB in Asia, is currently in quarantine undergoing host specificity testing.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

0%

Applied

100%

Developmental

0%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
211	1110	1130	40%
215	1111	1130	10%
215	1112	1130	10%
215	1113	1130	10%
211	1114	1130	20%
211	1115	1130	10%

Knowledge Area
211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants; 215 - Biological Control of Pests Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
1111 - Apricot; 1114 - Peach; 1110 - Apple; 1112 - Cherry; 1113 - Nectarine; 1115 - Pear;

Field Of Science
1130 - Entomology and acarology;

Keywords

brown marmorated stink bug

trisolcus japonicus

integrated pest management

Goals / Objectives
Continue to refine monitoring methods (light based/pheromone based traps, visual and knockdown assessments) for brown marmorated stink bug that can be used to assess emergence from overwintering sites, conduct population assessments and evaluate movement between different crops. Determine the potential for biological control of the brown marmorated stink bug by adventive populations of Trissolcus japonicus (development of sampling tools, monitoring establishment and spread, innoculative releases, pre- and post-release monitoring, overall impact on BMSB populations). Continue to refine best management practices for the brown marmorated stink bug in field crops, fruit, nursery and vegetables. Deliver research based IPM recommendations to growers. Investigate the utility of insecticide treated netting for managing injury to crops and mitigating homeowner issues.

Project Methods
The procedures for this project's objectives are outlined below. The primary activities for this project are to hold an annual meeting; participate in coordinated research, implementation, and evaluation programs; and produce reports documenting state and regional activities.Meetings: This regional project will meet annually in conjunction with either the annual meeting of the Eastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America or the Brown Marmorated Working Group in order to increase cooperation among participants. This project will potentially draw participants from at least 12 institutions with the possibility to include members from other USDA regions. Members will benefit from regular meetings to exchange information on research plans and progress, prioritize new research needs and facilitate the development of regionally based research grants proposals and co-authored publications.Objective 1. Continue to refine monitoring methods (light based/pheromone based traps, visual and knockdown assessments) for brown marmorated stink bug that can be used to assess emergence from overwintering sites, conduct population assessments and evaluate movement between different crops.We will establish research plots in fruit to develop and evaluate monitoring methods in thiscrop. Plots will be maintained using standard practices but without the use of insecticides. Adult and nymphsbrown marmorated stink bugs will be monitored using a combination of pheromone traps anddirect visual counts. Data collected for pheromone traps will be correlated with the first presence of adults and nymphal BMSB in plots. Objective 2. Determine the potential for biological control of the brown marmorated stink bug by adventive populations ofTrissolcus japonicus(development of sampling tools, monitoring establishment and spread, innoculative releases, pre- and post-release monitoring, overall impact on BMSB and native stink bug populations). Initial detection will be accomplished using yellow sticky cards placed in association with wooded border areas around orchards.Each card will be deployed at various locations beginning with the first detection of BSMB egg masses in each state. Sticky cards will be deployed and removed for processing periodicallythroughout the season. Once detected, live egg masses will be deployed and recovered in attempts to establish colonies that will generateTrissolcus japonicusadults for use in innoculative releases in each state. Prior to releases, BMSB populations will be assessed and then reassessment following releases using visual counts and pheromone trapping.Objective 3. Continue to refine best management practices for the brown marmorated stink bug. Using the information, developed under objectives 1-3, we will develop crop specific best management plans (BMP s) for the brown marmorated stink bug. This will be done during the projects yearly annual meeting.Objective 4. Deliver research based IPM recommendations to growers. We will incorporate the information and Best Management Practices developed by this project into current grower recommendations. We will also deliver this information via websites, emails, newsletters, grower meetings, etc.Objective 5. Investigate the utility of insecticide treated netting for managing injury to crops and mitigating homeowner issues. We will establish replicated plantings of various crops to determine the efficacy of using insecticide treated netting. Potential treatment for crops will include placement of nets along field borders next to wooded areas and untreated control. Data on the number of BSMS in plots will be collected weekly. Damage assessments will be made at harvest.

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:In addition to the standard target audiences under this project, which includes Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic fruit growers, farmers and home gardeners, affected by the invasive insect pest species BMSB, information was also delivered to college students and agricultural business professionals during the last year. Changes/Problems:Similarly as during the past few seasons, the changes in the levels of BMSB populations created a challenge to conduct some field based BMSB monitoring and management projects. To address continuously changing geographical distribution of the pest, various elements of the project were located at different locations, including not only commercial orchards but also wild vegetation surrounding managed ecosystems. The intensity of activities related to the evaluations of potential biological control increased as more parasitic waspsT. japonicuswere detected across Pennsylvania. Research efforts were hindered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and many research efforts were shifted to a virutal format, when possible. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Three undergraduate students and one technician participated in the project activities, learning how to identify, monitor, and manage BMSB and other fruit pests. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no specific activities, outside of the project educational activities, were performed. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Due to the COVID-19 situation, only limited number of in-person grower meetings were conducted;however multiple web based Twilight in season meetings utilizing Zoom technology were offered to target audience of growers and homeowners. Extension publications and web updates and electronic newsletters such as PSU Fruit Times Newsletter were produced throughout the season. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the 2021 season, we will continue to evaluate alternative methods for pest suppression by improving methods such as "attract and kill" and "ghost traps" strategy.The "area-wide" approach will be utilized for the potential redistribution of theTrisolcus japonicus. We will also continue our cooperation with other Mid-Atlantic area researchers to better understand BMSB biology and behavior.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1. We continued to evaluate new tools to monitor brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB). Tall pyramid traps (Ag-Bio. Inc., Westminster, CO), Rescue trap (Sterling International, Inc.,Spokane, WA) and sticky traps (Trece, Inc., Adair, OK) were baited with commercial BMSB monitoring lure (Trece, Inc.), commercial BMSB lure from Alpha Scents, Inc. (West Linn, OR) and with new experimental lure from Ag-Bio, Inc. to evaluate the longevities of lure attraction under field conditions. Various lure/trap combination trials were placed in three commercial fruit orchards in Pennsylvania in early July. Traps were checked at a weekly interval until late fall and data was recorded. The experimental Ag Bio lure performed at similar levels as industry standard Trece and Alpha Scent BMSB lures while tested in the same trap design. Objective 2. The adventive parasitoid wasp Trissolcus japonicus, the mosteffective biological control agents against BMSB were detected at multiple locations across PA and its possible impact on BMSB populations wereassessed in a commercial orchard located in Lancaster County, PA. The adult T.j. parasitoids were collected from yellow sticky traps placed inside of the orchard and surrounding areas. Objective 3. Multi-faced activities were undertaken to develop sustainable, IPM (Integrated Pest Management) friendly BMSB management program(s) and monitoring options including the testing of the insecticide treated nets (D-Terrence). Objective 4. The very promising results of our previous field trials were directly disseminated to farmer community through web based seasonal IPM updates. Objective 5. During last season we continued our placement studies to the attract and kill strategy in the form of "ghost traps."During the 2020 season the D-Terrence nets (Vestergard Frandsen SA, Lausanne, Switzerland) were tested under field conditions in 3 commercial fruit orchards.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Ludwick, D., W. R. Morrison III, A. L. Acebes-Doria, A. M. Agnello, J. C. Bergh, M. L. Buffington, G. C. Hamilton, J. K. Harper, K. A. Hoelmer, G. Krawczyk, T. P. Kuhar, D. G. Pfeiffer, A. L. Nielsen, K. B. Rice, C. Rodriguez-Saona, P. W. Shearer, P.M. Shrewsbury, E. J. Talamas, J. F. Walgenbach, N. G. Wiman, and T. C. Leskey. 2020. Invasion of brown marmorated stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) into the USA: Developing a national response to an invasive species crisis through collaborative research and outreach efforts. Journal of Integrated Pest Management 11(1): 4; 116 doi: 10.1093/jipm/pmaa001
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Peterson, H. and G. Krawczyk. 2020. Utilizing the samurai wasp as a potential control tool agent against brown marmorated stink bug. Pennsylvania Fruit News 100(1): 16-18
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Krawczyk, G., H. Peterson, H. Rice and E.H. Winzeler. 2020. Insecticide treated nets as an alternative tool to manage brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stal). Pennsylvania Fruit News 100(1): 20-22
• Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Baugher, T., R. Crassweller, T. Ford, G. Goodrow, G. Krawczyk, K. Peter, D. Seifrit and D. Weber. 2020. A field guide to tree fruit disorders, pests and beneficial. Entomology part contributor. PSU College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State Extension. 94 pages.

Progress 06/01/19 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:In addition to the standard target audiences under this project which includesPennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic fruit growers, farmers and home gardeners affected by the impact caused by invasive insect pest species brown marmorated stink bug during the last year information was also delivered to college students and agricultural business professionals. Changes/Problems:During last season the changes in the levels of BMSB populations created a challenge to conduct some field based BMSB monitoring and management projects. To address continuously changing geographical distribution of the pest, various elements of the project were located at different locations, including not only commercial orchards but also wild vegetation surrounding managed ecosystems. The intensity of activities related to the evaluations of potential biological control increased as more parasitic wasps T. japonicus were detected across Pennsylvania. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Graduate student training opportunities (Master of Science and Doctor ofPhilosophy students participating in various aspects of the BMSB programs (1 student) Undergraduate students training (2 students). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Information gained during the project is continuously being disseminated directly to growers either by in-season grower meetings, extension publications or by utilization of newest communication methods including web updates and electronic newsletters such as PSU Fruit Times Newsletter. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the 2020 season we will continue to evaluate alternative methods for pest suppression by improving methods such as "attract and kill" and "ghost traps" strategy.The "area-wide" approach will be utilized for the potential redistribution of theTrisolcus japonicus. We will also continue our cooperation with other Mid-Atlantic area researchers to better understand BMSB biology and behavior.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Goal 1: Brown marmorated stink bug monitoring tools and practices were evaluated in fruit orchards located across Pennsylvania.We continued evaluations of newmonitoring trap designs including clear sticky and pyramid shaped traps (e.g., Ag-Bio and Rescue trap designs).We also evaluated new experimental lures fromAg-Bio Inc. (Westminster, CO), Trece Inc. (Adair, OK) andRussel IPM, (Flintshire, UK). Goal 2: Evaluations of available native biological control agents were also conducted in various environments, to assess their possible impact on BMSB populations.The adventive parasitoid waspTrissolcus japonicus, the most effective biological control agents against BMSB was detected at multiple locations across PA. Goal 3: We continued evaluations of potential treatment action thresholds based on the number of BMSB nymphsand/or adults captured by various traps designs located in commercial apple orchard.Multi-faced activities were undertaken to develop sustainable, IPM friendly BMSB management program(s) and monitoring options including the testing of the insecticide treated nets (D-Terrence). Goal 4: The very promising results of our previous field trials were directly disseminated to farmer communities through web based seasonal IPM updates. Goal 5: During last season we continued evaluations of the attract and kill strategy in the form of "ghost traps." During the 2019 season we tested field aged insecticide-treated netting D-Terrence nets (Vestergard Frandsen SA, Lausanne, Switzerland)and brand new insecticide treated net MiraNet (A to Z Textile Mills, LTD, Arusha, TZ).

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Acebes-Doria, A, A. Agnello, D. Alston, H. Andrews, E. Beers, C. J. Bergh, R. Bessin, B. Blaauw, D.G. Buntin, E. Burkness, S. Chen, T. Cottrell, K. Daane, L. Fann, S. Fleisher, C. Guedot, L. Gut, G. Hamilton, R. Hilton, K. Hoelmer, W. Hutchison, P. Jentsch, G. Krawczyk, T. Kuhar, J. Lee, J. Milnes, A. Nielsen, D. Patel, B. Short, A. Sial, L. Spears, K. Tatman, M. Toews, J. Walgenbach, C. Welty, N. Wiman, J. van Zoeren, and T. Leskey. 2019. Season-long Monitoring of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (St�l) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), Throughout the United States using Commercially Available Traps and Lures. J. Econ. Entomol. (In press).
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Krawczyk, G., H. Peterson and C. Hirt. 2019. Utilization of insecticide treated nets as an alternative method to monitor and manage brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys. Pennsylvania Fruit News 99(1): 15  18.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Peterson, H., and G. Krawczyk. 2019. Utilizing the samurai wasp as a potential control tool against brown marmorated stink bug. Pennsylvania Fruit News 99(1): 19  21.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2019 Citation: Krawczyk, G., 2019. Brown marmorated stink bug in fruit orchards. Embrapa Uva e Vinho, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecu�ria (Embrapa). June 27, 2019. Vacaria, Brazil. Invited seminar.