Utilizing immunomarking techniques to trackHalyomorpha halys(Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) movement and distribution within a peach orchard

Abstract

In this study we focus on the invasive brown marmorated stink bug,Halyomorpha halys(Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), which has a strong dispersal capacity and has had a significant impact on several cropping systems, including peach (Prunus persica(L.)). Management ofH. halyshas relied on intensive insecticide use, and thus a better understanding of its dispersal behavior may assist in developing improved management strategies. In order to investigateH. halysmovement and distribution patterns within a peach orchard we applied ecologically safe, food protein markers to the trees along the orchard border (chicken egg albumin in the form of liquid egg whites) and to the trees within the orchard interior (bovine casein in the form of cow’s milk). We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to assess whether collectedH. halyswere “marked” with either of the two protein markers, revealing where in the orchard the bugs had visited. From the density data we determined thatH. halysis a perimeter-driven pest in peaches, with a significantly higher density of bugs collected along the orchard border. Interestingly, this trend is primarily driven by the distribution of male bugs. The protein marking data revealed that a small proportion of maleH. halysmove equally between the orchard border and interior, while a small proportion of females move predominately to the border after visiting the interior. The verification of a strong edge-effect, although potentially sex-specific, implies thatH. halysdisplays a dispersal behavior that may also be exploited for management, which may help growers more efficiently and more effectively manageH. halys.