Stink bug feeding induces fluorescence in developing cotton bolls.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Entomology
• Plant Pathology
• Biophotonics

Background:

• Stink bugs are significant pests of cotton, causing substantial yield and quality losses annually in the US.
• Current methods for detecting stink bug damage in cotton fields are time-consuming and labor-intensive.
• Accurate and efficient scouting is crucial for effective pest management in cotton production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate fluorescence changes in cotton boll tissues caused by stink bug feeding.
• To develop a rapid and accurate method for distinguishing stink bug-damaged cotton bolls from undamaged ones.
• To explore the potential of fluorescence imaging for pest management applications in cotton.

Main Methods:

• Utilized fluorescent imaging under long-wave ultraviolet light to analyze cotton boll tissues.
• Characterized emission and excitation spectra of both damaged and undamaged cotton bolls.
• Compared fluorescence signatures to identify unique markers of stink bug damage.

Main Results:

• Stink bug-damaged cotton tissues exhibited a distinct blue-green fluorescence near puncture wounds.
• Undamaged cotton tissues showed weaker fluorescence, primarily dominated by chlorophyll.
• Optimal emission and excitation spectra were identified to differentiate damaged from undamaged bolls.

Conclusions:

• Characteristic fluorescence peaks indicate a reliable method for rapid detection of stink bug damage in cotton.
• A fluorescence-based device could significantly aid pest management professionals in assessing field damage.
• This approach offers a promising tool for improving the efficiency and accuracy of cotton pest scouting.