Insecticide Resistance Management of Stink Bugs

Stink bugs are considered key pests in many agroecosystems. The most widely distributed species worldwide are the Southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.) (SGSB) and the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys Stål (BMSB). However, other species of particular relevance, but with a more restricted distribution, include the Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (F.) (NBSB) and the green-belly stink bug, Diceraeus melacanthus (Dallas) (GBSB), both prevalent in the Brazilian soybean/maize production region. Despite their large host range and widespread distribution of BMSB in the USA, scarce baseline studies have been conducted with this species. In addition, until now no field resistance cases have been reported. Extensive sampling performed in Brazilian soybean regions showed that NBSB corresponds to about 85% of the stink bug complex associated with soybean. Decreased susceptibility to insecticides has been observed in areas that traditionally produce soybean. Insecticide resistance management (IRM) calls for selective insecticide use against caterpillars, avoid chemical control of overwintering populations of NBSB, monitor stink bug susceptibility to insecticides, follow of action thresholds, and alternate use of insecticides with different modes of action.