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Greenhouse Rearing Methods for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on Live Cowpea Plants
Adelaine E Abrams1, Alfredo Alvarez2, Matthew S Rodriguez3
1University of California at Davis, Horticulture and Agronomy Graduate Group, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, USA.
Journal of Economic Entomology
|November 9, 2021
Summary
A new rearing system using cowpea plants provides over 600 brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB) weekly. This scalable method aids in developing crucial treatment efficacy data for this invasive pest.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Entomology
- Pest Management Science
- Insect Rearing Systems
Background:
- The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys, is a significant agricultural pest.
- Effective control measures are essential for international market access of host commodities.
- Current rearing methods may not consistently supply sufficient specimens for research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and describe a scalable rearing system for the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB).
- To utilize live cowpea plants (Vigna unguiculata) as a host for BMSB rearing.
- To establish methods for inducing diapause entry and exit in adult BMSB.
Main Methods:
- Rearing BMSB on live Vigna unguiculata plants.
- Implementing protocols to control adult diapause states.
- Quantifying weekly specimen output across life stages and age groups.
Main Results:
- A continuous supply of over 600 BMSB specimens per week was achieved.
- The system provides access to all life stages and age groups.
- Methods for inducing and reversing diapause in adult BMSB were successfully demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- The described cowpea-based rearing system is scalable and efficient.
- This system provides a consistent and abundant source of BMSB for research.
- It is particularly advantageous for generating treatment efficacy data for BMSB control.
