Bed bugs are increasing their impact on crops worldwide

Phytophagous stink bugs and related species of the superfamily Pentatomoidea have expanded their impact on agricultural crops in various regions of the world. This expansion stems from rising temperatures, the continuous supply of host plants in diversified agricultural systems, the overuse of insecticides, and the international trade of plant products, according to a scientific review. The study compiles information on pests affecting soybeans, corn, cotton, rice, wheat, fruits, vegetables, and other crops.

Researchers state that managing these species requires a change in strategy. Chemical control still occupies a central position in many systems. However, reliance on broad-spectrum insecticides has increased environmental risks, reduced natural enemies, and favored the selection of resistant populations. The review points to biological control with egg parasitoids as one of the tools with the greatest potential for expansion. It also cites semiochemicals, botanical insecticides, RNAi, CRISPR, modified biological agents, and monitoring and forecasting technologies as future components of management.

Pentatomids and related groups damage plants through direct feeding. Adults and nymphs insert their stylets into plant tissues and extract fluids. The injury causes loss of turgor, deformation, seed and fruit abortion, and delayed maturation. The damage affects the quality and appearance of grains, fruits, and seedlings. In some cases, feeding favors the transmission of viruses, phytoplasmas, bacteria, and fungi.

South America

In South America, the review highlights the importance of the green bridge in intensive systems. Brazil and Argentina maintain large areas of soybeans. The succession with corn and wheat, in addition to the proximity to cotton and other crops, provides food for stink bugs for much of the year. This scenario favors polyphagous species and makes field management difficult.

In Brazil

In Brazil, Euschistus heros has assumed a central role in the soybean agroecosystem. The species occurs in soybeans, cotton, corn, and wheat. The article reports a reduction of up to 25% in cotton fiber and up to 30% in soybean productivity. It also records the participation of Euschistus heros in up to 60% of insecticides used in soybean cultivation. Diceraeus melacanthus causes damage to corn seedlings, with necrosis, yellowing, leaf deformation, and tillering. In rice, Tibraca limbativentris emerges as a significant pest, causing a 17% to 44% reduction in seed productivity.

The review notes the advancement of alternatives in Brazil. The mass release of the egg parasitoid. telenomus podisi against Euschistus heros can reach up to 90% egg parasitism in the field. The parasitoid has been commercially available in the country since 2019. The text also points to the use of entomopathogenic fungi and conservative biological control through weed management and landscape shaping.

North America

In North America, Halyomorpha halys occupies a prominent position. The invasive species has high mobility and more than 175 host plants have been reported on the continent. The insect damages fruits, vegetables, and extensive crops such as soybeans. The review also cites Bagrada hilaris, Murgantia histrionica and Nezara viridula as invasive species with economic importance.

North American management combines sampling, action levels, chemical control, trap plants, removal of weed hosts, alteration of planting dates, and biological control. The review cites egg parasitoids of the genera Ooencyrtus, Telenomus and Trisolcus in addition to tachinid flies Trichopoda pennipes and Euthera tentatrix. The work also mentions predators such as Podisus maculiventris, Orius insidiosus and Solenopsis invicta.

Europe

In Europe, Halyomorpha halys appears as the most serious species among stink bugs. The article records damage in orchards, olive groves, vineyards, soybeans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, beans, cherries, hazelnuts, kiwis, and other crops. The review reports estimated losses of €600 million in 2019 in northern Italy. It also cites measures under study or in use, such as localized spraying, sulfur, diatomaceous earth, kaolin, exclusion nets, multimodal traps, real-time monitoring platforms, and remote sensing.

Classical biological control appears as a long-term alternative against Halyomorpha halys in Europe. The review cites regulated introductions of Trissolcus japonicus in Italy from 2020 and releases of Trissolcus mitsukurii in France since 2022. It also records adventitious populations of Trissolcus mitsukurii in Italy and Trissolcus japonicus in Switzerland.

Other species are a concern for European agriculture. Nezara viridula expands its distribution northward, in association with favorable climatic conditions. Pentatoma rufipes emerges as a pest of fruit trees in northern Europe. Palomena prasina also causes damage to orchards and hazelnut groves. In cruciferous plants, species of the genus Eurydema can cause significant losses, depending on the population density and phenological stage of the plants.

Asia

In Asia, the situation varies depending on the region and culture. In Japan, Eysarcoris aeneus, Eysarcoris lewisi, Eysarcoris ventralis and Niphe elongata cause stained rice. Plautia stali, Glaucias subpunctatus and Halyomorpha halys occur in fruit trees. Nezara viridula, Nezara antennata and Piezodorus hybneri cause damage to soybeans, vegetables, and other crops.

In Korea, Halyomorpha halys and Plautia stali gained economic importance in legumes and fruit crops. The work also mentions Dolycoris baccarum, Piezodorus hybneri, Carbula putoni, Chinavia hilaris, Nezara antennata, Eysarcoris aeneus and Scotinophara lurida such as species associated with damage to soybeans, fruits, and rice.

In China, Thesaratoma papillosa causes losses in lychee and longan crops. The study reports losses of 70% to 90% in these crops. Halyomorpha halys attacks apples, apricots, cherries, beans, kiwis, peaches, pears, soybeans, and beets. The review also records an average parasitism rate of 87% to 91% of Thesaratoma papillosa by Anastatus fulloi in Chinese programs.

Oceania

In Oceania, the review highlights Nezara viridula, Musgraveia sulsiventris and Dictyotus caenosus among the most important species. Nezara viridula occurs in vegetables, legumes, and other crops. Musgraveia sulsiventris and Dictyotus caenosus originate from Australia and are part of a group of pests that impact local agricultural systems. Management involves insecticides, agronomic adjustments, and biological control, requiring continuous review in light of the risks of resistance and changes in cultivation practices.

Scientists argue that pest management needs to integrate agricultural, biological, chemical, and physical methods. Coordinated application depends on knowledge of the pest's life cycle, its biological characteristics, and its interaction with the environment. The review also reinforces the need for precise monitoring and population forecasting, using traps, image analysis, and other technologies.

Scientists Antônio R. Panizzi, JE McPherson, C. Scott Bundy, Jesus F. Esquivel, Alberto Pozzebon, Alberto Mele, Davide Scaccini, Dmitrii L. Musolin, Natalia N. Karpun, Vladimir V. Neimorovets, M. Javahery, Hideharu Numata, Yoshinori Shintani, Un Taek Lim, Lian-Sheng Zang, Yong-Ming participated in the study. Chen, Robert K. Mensah, Melina M. Miles, Gimme H. Walter, Louis EN Jackai, Beatrice N. Dingha, and Adeney F. Bueno.

Further information can be found at doi.org/10.1127/entomologia/3800