荔枝蝽传播龙眼鬼帚病的研究

荔枝蝽2龄以内若虫不会传病．3,4和5龄若虫及成虫均会传病．获毒着虫蜕皮后的高一龄若虫或羽化后的成虫不经再饲毒也能传病．荔枝蝽在田间的传病虫态主要是成虫,龙眼鬼帚病原病毒在成虫体内的循回期为4天(或短于4天）至34天．生产上治虫防病的关键时期是越冬成虫恢复活动,进入交尾产卵期和春夏之交若虫盛发期开展化防。把荔枝蝽防治在羽化传病之前．     

南方小花蝽液体人工饲料的饲养效果评价

为评价一种液体人工饲料的饲养效果,以棉蚜饲养南方小花蝽作对照,用液体人工饲料连续两代饲养南方小花蝽若虫和成虫,对南方小花蝽各生长阶段的生长和发育指标进行调查。结果显示：用人工饲料饲养的南方小花蝽若虫历期（22～23天）与对照组（21天）之间不存在显著差异,说明液体人工饲料可以很好的满足南方小花蝽若虫生长的营养要求。然而,用棉蚜饲养的对照组南方小花蝽成虫获得率可达到63%,而人工饲料组连续两代的成虫获得率分别仅为45% 和43%。取食人工饲料的南方小花蝽成虫,在产卵前期、产卵量及寿命方面与对照组都没有显著差异,仅在产卵期方面有着显著差异,人工饲料组小花蝽的产卵期为13～16天,而对照组小花蝽的产卵期可达20天,说明液体人工饲料也可以很好的满足南方小花蝽成虫生殖发育的营养要求。     

齿缘刺猎蝽生活史及其生物学特性

齿缘刺猎蝽是国内广泛分布的一种捕食性天敌昆虫,能捕食多种农林业害虫。为了充分利用该虫,我们对齿缘刺猎蝽的生活史、形态特征和行为进行了研究。结果表明,齿缘刺猎蝽在湖南一年发生一代,以成虫越冬;5月份产卵,若虫4龄,初孵若虫黄褐色,2-4龄若虫由黄绿色到淡绿色,4龄若虫可见明显白色翅芽,8月份羽化为成虫,成虫灰褐色。各龄若虫和成虫体表均分布有较多棘或刺。成虫平均寿命长达312.5 d,不太活跃,有一定的飞行能力,取食和交配的时间较长,整个产卵期产卵量为每头雌虫35-41粒。     

大豆荚发育程度对点蜂缘蝽成虫寿命及生殖力的影响

【目的】为明确大豆荚发育程度对点蜂缘蝽Riptortus pedestris成虫存活及生殖力的影响。【方法】在室内24℃±1℃恒温下,用不同日龄(5, 15, 25, 35和45日龄)离体鲜豆荚饲喂点蜂缘蝽,测定成虫寿命、产卵前期、产卵期、单雌产卵量等生物学参数和不同日龄豆荚籽粒中脂肪、总蛋白和总糖含量,分析点蜂缘蝽成虫的生物学参数与不同日龄豆荚籽粒中主要营养成分含量之间的相关性。【结果】随着所取食豆荚日龄的增加,点蜂缘蝽成虫的平均寿命、产卵期、单雌产卵量呈先增加然后下降的趋势,而产卵前期的变化趋势则相反。当饲喂35日龄豆荚时,点蜂缘蝽成虫寿命最长(56.90±9.47 d),产卵前期最短(6.00±0.58 d),产卵期最长(29.67±6.61 d),单雌产卵量最高(129.56±36.53粒),且与取食其他日龄豆荚的成虫之间存在显著差异。点蜂缘蝽成虫寿命、产卵期、单雌产卵量均与豆荚籽粒脂肪和总蛋白含量呈显著正相关,产卵前期与豆荚籽粒脂肪和总蛋白含量呈显著负相关。【结论】大豆荚发育程度对点蜂缘蝽成虫寿命及生殖力等生物学参数具有显著的影响,35日龄豆荚对点蜂缘蝽成虫存活和繁殖最为有利。     

基于EPG的三种刺吸式害虫在苹果苗上的取食行为比较

【目的】苹果绵蚜Eriosoma lanigerum、绣线菊蚜Aphis citricola和梨网蝽Stephanitis nashi是苹果园的一类重要害虫,它们以刺吸式口器对苹果树造成不同程度的危害。本研究旨在明确这3种刺吸式昆虫在苹果树上取食行为差异。【方法】利用刺吸电位(electrical penetration graph, EPG)技术对苹果绵蚜和绣线菊蚜成虫在苹果苗韧皮部和非韧皮部上的EPG指标,以及苹果绵蚜、绣线菊蚜和梨网蝽成虫苹果苗上的取食行为进行了比较分析,分析了这3种害虫的成虫在苹果苗上取食8 h各种波形平均持续时间的占比。【结果】结果表明,苹果绵蚜和绣线菊蚜成蚜在苹果苗上均产生6种取食波形,即非刺探波(np)、路径波(C)、意外穿刺细胞非主动取食细胞波(pd)、木质部取食波(G)、韧皮部唾液分泌波(E1)和韧皮部取食波(E2);而梨网蝽成虫取食过程中只产生非刺探波(np)、表皮刺穿波(A)、叶肉细胞取食波(Gc)和木质部取食波(E)4种波形。从蚜虫在苹果苗非韧皮部上取食的EPG指标看,苹果绵蚜成蚜pd波平均时间显著高于绣线菊蚜的,而刺探次数、np波总时间和pd波次数均显著低于绣线菊蚜的。从蚜虫在苹果苗韧皮部上取食的EPG指标来看,除第1次出现E2波的时间外,各指标没有显著差异。从3种害虫在苹果苗上取食8 h各波形的占比来看,梨网蝽成虫的np波总时间所占比例最高(53%),其次是绣线菊蚜成虫的(24%),苹果绵蚜成虫的最低(为1%)。同时,苹果绵蚜和绣线菊蚜成虫取食波为E2波,所占总时间比例分别为35%和25%,而梨网蝽的取食波为Gc波(占总时间比例为36%)和E波(占总时间比例为11%)。【结论】本研究阐释了苹果园刺吸式口器害虫的生态位分离和取食行为学机制,为果园刺吸式口器害虫的综合治理提供了理论依据。     

亚洲柑橘木虱成虫在九里香上的取食与交尾行为观察

【目的】深入了解亚洲柑橘木虱Diaphorina citri Kuwayama的生物学习性,为有效防治和阻止其传播黄龙病提供依据。【方法】利用昆虫行为观测仪对雌、雄成虫在九里香上的取食、交尾行为进行观察,比较雌、雄成虫在嫩梢和成熟梢上取食行为的差异。【结果】雌、雄成虫在嫩梢和成熟梢上总的取食时间都没有显著差异。但是,雌成虫在成熟梢上的取食时间显著长于在嫩梢上,而雄成虫没有显著差异。在嫩梢上,雌雄成虫都更倾向于取食嫩茎,其次为叶片,叶柄上最少,其中雌成虫在嫩茎上取食时间显著长于叶片和叶柄。在成熟梢上,雌成虫在叶背的取食时间显著长于叶面和茎,而雄成虫在叶面和叶背的取食时间没有显著差异,并且在叶面的取食时间显著长于茎。交尾开始时,雄成虫将腹部末端的抱握器从雌成虫腹部下方抱住其产卵器,然后进行交尾,交尾过程中雄成虫间歇性地抖动远离雌虫的后足。交尾结束时,雄成虫先收缩腹部,使双方腹部末端下垂,呈弓型,然后雌雄成虫在合体的情况下共同行走一段距离后再分开,交尾时间持续约40 min。【结论】雌雄虫的取食行为有差异,雌虫在成熟梢上取食时间长于嫩梢且嗜食成熟叶的叶背。雌雄1次交尾持续时间约40 min。     

寄主植物物理性状及营养物质对地红蝽寄主选择性的影响

【目的】地红蝽Pyrrhocoris tibialis是一种重要的农业植食性害虫,寄主范围广泛。本研究测定地红蝽对不同植物的取食偏好及分析寄主植物物理性状和营养物质在地红蝽成虫寄主选择行为中的作用,以期从寄主理化性状的角度来探讨地红蝽寄主选择行为机制,为指导作物抗虫育种提供依据。【方法】通过自由选择方法研究地红蝽成虫对5种寄主植物(谷子Setaria italica、高粱Sorghum bicolor、绿豆Vigna radiata、大豆Glycine max和玉米Zea mays)叶片的取食选择性;使用Y型嗅觉仪进一步检测地红蝽对5种植物叶片气味的趋性反应;测定分析5种植物叶片物理性状及主要营养物质含量与地红蝽取食选择性的相关性。【结果】地红蝽成虫对5种寄主植物叶片的取食选择率存在显著性差异,依次为谷子＞高粱＞绿豆＝大豆＞玉米,与对这5种寄主植物叶片气味的趋性反应百分率结果一致。相关性分析表明,地红蝽成虫的取食选择性与叶片长宽比、含水量和背面茸毛密度呈显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.881, 0.884和0.906,而与地红蝽成虫取食前后寄主植物叶片可溶性糖含量变化和总蛋白质含量变化呈显著负相关,相关系数分别为-0.915和-0.951。通径分析表明,寄主植物叶片背面茸毛密度和总蛋白质含量变化是地红蝽寄主选择性的重要决定因素。【结论】地红蝽成虫对不同寄主植物存在取食选择和趋向性差异,地红蝽成虫取食选择与寄主植物叶片长宽比、背面茸毛密度、含水量以及可溶性糖和总蛋白质含量变化有关。     

荔枝园荔枝蒂蛀虫常规爆发期的种群空间分布格局

荔枝蒂蛀虫Conopomorpha sinensis Bradley是我国最重要的荔枝、龙眼蛀果类害虫之一.为了准确把握荔枝园中荔枝蒂蛀虫的分布规律,以便对该虫的危害盛期进行预测预报和采取防治措施,本文采用生物学统计方法和地理统计学方法对荔枝园中荔枝蒂蛀虫卵、蛹和成虫的空间分布特征进行了研究.结果显示:2019年5月和6月,无挂果荔枝树的有虫株率分别为67.74％和68.57％,而挂果荔枝树的有虫株率达90.91％和91.67％.该时期荔枝园内荔枝蒂蛀虫蛹的半变异函数最佳拟合模型均为球型模型,成虫均为指数模型,而卵在5月和6月的拟合模型分别为球型模型和指数模型.不同时期荔枝蒂蛀虫各虫态的拟合变异函数模型虽存在一定差异,但所指明的空间分布格局均为聚集分布.引起荔枝蒂蛀虫卵和蛹聚集分布主要由生境和自身生物学特性共同所致,但当虫口密度降低时,成虫的聚集分布仅由生境引起.另外,用Kriging插值方法生成的空间分布图显示荔枝蒂蛀虫卵、蛹和成虫均明显趋向于以挂果荔枝树为中心的聚集分布,聚集斑块由聚集中心区域向四周逐渐减小.5月至6月,荔枝蒂蛀虫卵、蛹和成虫在荔枝园内趋向以挂果荔枝树为中心的聚集分布,不同时期荔枝园内荔枝蒂蛀虫的聚集分布成因随种群密度变化有所不同.     

信息化合物在平腹小蜂寄主选择过程中的作用

利用“Y”型嗅觉仪研究了平腹小蜂对不同荔枝品种的离体叶片、活体植株、叶片挥发油和挥发物单个组分以及对荔枝蝽不同处理的的选择行为反应.结果表明,三月红和淮枝品种对平腹小蜂的引诱效果较好,而糯米糍、桂味、妃子笑和黑叶品种的作用不明显.作为荔枝叶片的主要挥发物组分,α-蛇麻烯和β-子丁香烯对平腹小蜂的引诱效果也不明显,但两者在天敌搜索寄主过程中表现为协同作用,并且当均以0.3 μl·μl^-1的浓度混合后,引诱效果最好.双向选择试验表明,平腹小蜂对荔枝蝽卵没有明显的趋性,而对荔枝蝽雌成虫及成虫腹末的水提液趋性较强.培养皿生测试验则表明,平腹小蜂在荔枝蝽卵样点处作出选择行为的数量和滞留次数最多,对荔枝蝽卵有较高的选择性.荔枝蝽成虫挥发物的主要组分(E)-2-己烯醛对平腹小蜂没有显著的引诱作用.     

荔枝蝽成虫对其臭腺分泌物组分的触角电生理和行为反应

培养皿生物测定结果表明,荔枝蝽Tessaratoma papillosa(Drury)臭腺分泌物的乙醚提取物对成虫有显著的驱避作用.气质联用仪(GC-MS)分析结果表明,荔枝蝽雌雄成虫臭腺乙醚提取物中具有5种挥发性物质,即(E)-2-辛烯醛、十一烷、十二烷、十三烷及一个未知组分.荔枝蝽对(E)-2-辛烯醛、十一烷、十二烷与十三烷这4种组分的触角电生理(EAG)反应结果表明,这些化合物均能引起荔枝蝽成虫的EAG反应,其中(E)-2-辛烯醛引起雌雄成虫触角的反应最强,分别为0.50 mV与0.4 mV;"Y"型嗅觉仪生测结果表明,(E)-2-辛烯醛对荔枝蝽成虫能产生极显著的驱避作用(P <0.01).可见,荔枝蝽成虫臭腺分泌物对荔枝蝽具有显著的生物活性,可望通过进一步研究应用于荔枝蝽的防控体系.     

Impact of brown stink bug (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) feeding on corn grain yield components and quality

Brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), damage on developing corn, Zea mays L., ears was examined in 2005 and 2006 by using eight parameters related to its yield and kernel quality. Stink bug infestations were initiated when the corn plants were at tasseling (VT), mid-silking (R1), and blister (R2) stages by using zero, three, and six in 2005 or zero, one, two, and four bugs per ear in 2006, and maintained for 9 d. The percentage of discolored kernels was affected by stink bug number in both years, but not always affected by plant growth stage. The growth stage effect on the percentage of discolored kernels was significant in 2006, but not in 2005. The percentage of aborted kernels was affected by both stink bug number and plant growth stage in 2005 but not in 2006. Kernel weight was significantly reduced when three E. sercus adults were confined on a corn ear at stage VT or R1 for 9 d in 2005, whereas one or two adults per ear resulted in no kernel weight loss, but four E. servus adults did cause significant kernel weight loss at stage VT in 2006. Stink bug feeding injury at stage R2 did not affect kernel damage, ear weight or grain weight in either year. The infestation duration (9 or 18 d) was positively correlated to the percentage of discolored kernels but did not affect kernel or ear weight. Based on the regression equations between the kernel weight and stink bug number, the gain threshold or economic injury level should be 0.5 bugs per ear for 9 d at stage VT and less for stage R1. This information will be useful in developing management guidelines for stink bugs in field corn during ear formation and early grain filling stages.     

Composition and abundance of stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in corn

The species composition and abundance of stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in corn, Zea mays L., was determined in this on-farm study in Georgia. Seven species of phytophagous stink bugs were found on corn with the predominant species being Nezara viridula (L.) and Euschistus servus (Say). All developmental stages of these two pests were found, indicating they were developing on the corn crop. The remaining five species, Oebalus pugnax pugnax (F.), Euschistus quadrator (Rolston), Euschistus tristigmus (Say), Euschistus ictericus (L.), and Acrosternum hilare (Say), were found in relatively low numbers. Adult N. viridula were parasitized by the tachinid parasitoid Trichopoda pennipes (F.). There was a pronounced edge effect in distribution of stink bugs in corn. Population dynamics of N. viridula and E. servus were different on early and late-planted corn. Oviposition by females of both stink bug species occurred in mid-to-late-May and again mid-to-late-June in corn, regardless of planting date. In early planted fields, if stink bug females oviposited on corn in mid-July, the resulting nymphs did not survive to the adult stage in corn because ears were close to physiological maturity and leaves were senescing. Density of stink bug adults in early planted corn was relatively low throughout the growing season. In late-planted corn, females of both stink bug species consistently laid eggs in mid-to-late-July on corn with developing ears. This habitat favored continued nymph development, and the resulting adult population reached high levels. These results indicate that corn management practices play a key role in the ecology of stink bugs in corn agroecosystems and provide information for designing management strategies to suppress stink bugs in farmscapes with corn.     

Treatment thresholds for stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in cotton

The green stink bug, Acrosternum hilare (Say), the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L), and the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say), were predominant phytophagous Pentatomidae detected during 1995-1997 in cotton in South Carolina. These species occurred in similar numbers in conventional and transgenic cotton 'NuCOTN33B', containing the gene for expression of CryIA(c) delta-endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner variety kurstaki. Adult stink bugs moved into cotton from wild and cultivated alternate hosts during July, and reproducing populations usually were detected in cotton from late July into September. Applications of either methyl parathion (0.56 kg [AI]/ha) directed for stink bugs or lambda-cyhalothrin (0.037 kg [AI]/ha) or cyfluthrin (0.056 kg [AI]/ha) for control of cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), provided effective control of pentatomids in NuCOTN33B or conventional 'DP5415' and increased yields compared with untreated plots. Fiber quality did not differ among treated or untreated plots of NuCOTN33B. The ground-cloth technique was used to estimate populations of stink bugs, and data indicated that treatment at one bug per 2 m of row adequately protected cotton from yield loss due to stink bug damage. Observations on boll damage indicated that treatment might be necessary if >20-25% reveal internal symptoms of feeding injury during mid- to late season. More detailed damage thresholds should be developed to complement an approach based on population monitoring. This study validated current recommendations for management of pentatomids in cotton, demonstrated the necessity of threshold use for stink bugs in transgenic cultivars expressing endotoxin from B. thuringiensis, and provided insight into further development of management options for pentatomids in the crop.     

Delayed maturity associated with southern green stink bug (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) injury at various soybean phenological stages

Delayed maturity in soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., occurred in response to infestation by southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.), in 4 yr of field studies. Maturity delays followed stink bug infestation that occurred only during the pod set and filling stages (R3-R5.5), and infestations at R3-4 and R5 resulted in delayed maturity more consistently than did infestation at R5.5. Infestation levels of six stink bugs per 0.3 m of row for 7-14 d generally were required to delay soybean maturity. The greatest impact on seed yield and quality parameters followed stink bug infestations that occurred during R3-R5.5, which corresponded closely with the periods of infestation that resulted in delayed maturity. If both delayed maturity and yield reduction are considered, the pod elongation through late pod filling stages were most critical for protecting soybeans from southern green stink bugs.     

Injury to preflowering and flowering cotton by brown stink bug and southern green stink bug

The impact of brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say), and southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.), injury was evaluated on preflowering and flowering cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., plants in no-choice tests. Vegetative stage cotton seedlings and reproductive structures, including flower buds (square) and bolls, were infested with adults and/or nymphs of both species. There were no significant differences in height, height to node ratio, square retention, and flower initiation for cotton seedlings or plants with a match-head square between southern green stink bug adult- or brown stink bug adult-infested and noninfested treatments. Abscission for individual large squares (precandle) and multiple squares (medium and small square on the same sympodial branch) was not significantly different among infested and noninfested treatments for the following species and developmental stages: brown stink bug adults, southern green stink bug adults, and third and fourth to fifth instar southern green stink bug nymphs. In boll infestation studies, the relationship between boll maturity, expressed as heat units beyond anthesis, and boll growth, abscission, hard locked carpels, seedcotton yield, and seed germination was measured. Brown stink bug induced abscission in bolls that had accumulated > 0-350 heat units beyond anthesis. Boll growth and seedcotton yield was significantly lower for bolls infested with brown stink bug through 266.5 and 550 heat units beyond anthesis, respectively. The proportion of hard locked carpels per boll was significantly greater for the infested treatment in a cohort of bolls that accumulated from 51 to 400 heat units beyond anthesis. Seed germination in bolls infested with brown stink bug was significantly lower in bolls aged 101-600 heat units beyond anthesis.     

Electropenetrography (EPG): a Breakthrough Tool Unveiling Stink Bug (Pentatomidae) Feeding on Plants

In this article, we review and discuss the potential use of EPG (electropenetrography) as a powerful tool to unveil the feeding process of phytophagous stink bugs (pentatomids). These bugs are relatively big and vigorous, which presents a problem during wiring (i.e., attachment of the gold wire on the bug’s pronotum) for use in EPG. Once this challenge was overcome, using the sand paper-and-wire technique, several species have been studied using EPG, yielding waveforms that, coupled with histological studies, revealed the ingestion sites on different host plants. These sites include vascular tissues (xylem and phloem), parenchyma tissue, and seed endosperm. Stink bugs usually feed by secreting a gelling saliva to create a salivary sheath that surrounds the stylets and anchors/supports/lubricates them. However, using the cell rupture feeding strategy and the tactic of combined laceration (mechanical movements of the stylets) and maceration (action of chemical enzymes) breaks the plant cells enabling ingestion. The number of ingestion events and their duration is variable according to the feeding site. Waveforms generated have typical patterns according to the feeding site. Recent studies with several species of stink bugs have started to demonstrate the potential of EPG as a tool to unveil their feeding behavior. This may also be useful in the applied field of stink bug management, such as the development and screening of resistant genotypes and the action of chemical insecticides affecting their feeding and survivorship.     

Feeding preference and movement of Nezara viridula and Euschistus serous (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on individual cotton plants

Experiments were conducted in an environmental growth chamber to determine the movement and feeding preferences of Nezara viridula (L.) and Euschistus serous (Say) on individual cotton plants. Fifth instars were caged by species on a single cotton plant (FM 9063 B2F) containing four discrete boll sizes ranging from 1.1 to 3.0 cm in diameter over a period of 5 d per replication. Two digital video cameras were simultaneously focused on each of the four bolls per plant to visually confirm stink bug resting and movement. During the study, a total of 4,080 h of video footage was recorded and analyzed. Results showed that N. viridula and E. serous did not prefer the exact same boll sizes. In a trial with eight stink bugs per plant, N. viridula spent more time on the three larger boll classes, 1.6-2.0, 2.1-2.5, and 2.6-3.0 cm. In a separate trial with one stink bug per plant, N. viridula spent more time on the larger boll classes while E. serous exhibited the strongest preference for 1.1-1.5 and 2.1-2.5 cm bolls. N. viridula moved more often than E. serous and both species moved more often during photophase compared with scotophase. Regardless of species or number of bugs released, bolls in the smallest boll size class fell off the plant about 3 d after the bugs were released. These results confirm that scouts who are estimating stink bug damage should select bolls in the 2.1-2.5 cm diameter boll size class.     

Reproductive behaviour and vibratory communication of the neotropical predatory stink bug Podisus nigrispinus

Vibratory communication during reproductive behaviour is less well described in predatory (Asopinae) than in phytophagous (Pentatominae) stink bugs. Different steps in the mating behaviour of the predatory stink bug Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae; Asopinae) are described in the present study, together with vibratory signals emitted on artificial and natural substrate during courtship and copulation. Vibratory signals in Podisus nigrispinus have a decisive role in copulation success and are produced in both sexes by abdominal vibration and tremulation. In P. nigrispinus, one species‐specific female and two male songs, which do not show the calling function typically found in phytophagous stink bugs, are produced by abdominal vibration and are emitted during reproductive behaviour. Additionally, P. nigrispinus produces tremulatory signals that have no species or sex specificity. Tremulatory signals emitted spontaneously on a plant as a sequence of readily repeated pulses are similar to the calling songs of the Pentatominae stink bug. These signals may carry information on the presence of a mate; however, in other behavioural contexts, they may have a different function, such as advertisement or even alarm signals. Plants transmit vibratory signals produced by both mechanisms as a low‐pass filter, increasing the amount of low‐frequency components. The results of the present study raise important questions about the interaction between chemical and vibratory signals in the mating behaviour of predatory stink bugs.     

Cotton boll age influences feeding preference by brown stink bug (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Cotton plants were infested with brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say), to define cotton boll age classes (based on heat unit accumulation beyond anthesis) that are most frequently injured during each of the initial 5 wk of flowering. Bolls from each week were grouped into discrete age classes and evaluated for the presence of stink bug injury. Brown stink bug injured significantly more bolls of age class B (approximately 165-336 heat units), age class C (approximately 330-504 heat units), and age class D (approximately 495-672 heat units) during the initial 3 wk in both years and in week 5 in 2002 compared with other boll ages. Generally, the frequency of injured bolls was lowest in age class A (< or = 168 heat units) during these periods. The preference by brown stink bug for boll age classes B, C, and D within a week was similar when ages were combined across all 5 wk. Based on these data, bolls that have accumulated 165.2 through 672 heat units beyond anthesis (approximately 7-27-d-old) are more frequently injured by brown stink bug when a range of boll ages are available. The boll ages in our studies corresponded to a boll diameter of 1.161-3.586 cm with a mid-range of 2.375 cm. A general protocol for initiating treatments against stink bugs is to sample bolls for evidence of injury as an indicator of presence of infestations in cotton. Sampling bolls within a defined range, which is most likely to be injured, should improve the precision of this method in detecting economic stink bug infestations in cotton.     

Identification of Stink Bugs Using an Electronic Nose

Stink bugs are recognized as pests of several economically important crops, including cotton, soybean and a variety of tree fruits. The Cyranose 320 was used for the classified investigation of stink bug. Stink bugs including males and females of the southern green stink bugs, Nezara viridula, were collected from crop fields around College Station, TX. Results show that the released chemicals and chemical intensity are both critical factors, which determine the rate that the Cyranose 320 correctly identified the stink bugs. The Cyranose 320 shows significant potential in identifying stink bugs, and can classify stink bug samples by species and gender.