Alternative methods to manage brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys

Abstract: As the insecticide treatments remain the most effective tools to manage the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) Halyomorpha halys (Stäl) in Pennsylvania fruit orchards, we also attempt to develop alternative methods to manage this pest in more sustainable, environmentally responsible way. During the 2018 season we continued to test deltamethrin insecticide treated nets baited with BMSB monitoring lures to monitor BMSB populations around commercial apple orchards. Starting from late July, the treated nets were placed on 2.4 m high shepherd hooks and placed outside of the apple blocks (5-15 m away from the orchard border), at about 50 m distance between each net, however higher number of nets were placed in the direction of potential influx of BMSB from outside vegetation such as woods. The standard BMSB monitoring sticky traps were used to assess the pest population in the orchards surrounded by the net traps and control blocks. At the peak BMSB activity periods high numbers of BMSB adults and nymphs, as well as native stink bugs were collected under the net traps. The practical results from our trials are very promising and potentially can be used for the development of alternative BMSB trapping method(s).