Efficacy of trap crops and biopesticides to control brown marmorated stink bug (Halymorpha halys [Stål], Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) in apple orchards

Abstract: The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) is an important pest in apple crops. We examined the potential of soybean (Glycine max), sunflower (Helianthus annuus), alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) as trap crops for H. halys, and tested three biopesticides on the four trap crops to control H. halys in an apple orchard. We monitored >the abundance of H. halys (egg clusters, larvae and adults) on each trap crop at 10-day intervals, and also assessed H. halys abundance on six apple trees (Malus domestica). The pesticide treatments included Nemaplus®, Botanigard WP, NeemAzal-T/S, a negative control and a positive control. The plant protection products were applied on trap crops at 10-day intervals.
We also determined the abundance of the pest (egg clusters, larvae and adults) before the treatment and 2-3 days after treatment. Sorghum was the most attractive crop for H. halys, followed by sunflower, soybean and alfalfa. H. halys abundance increased when crops entered the fruit development stage. The effectiveness of three biopesticides against H. halys was generally low, and not signficantly different. Further research will be needed to further develop effective control methods for this invasive pest.