Stink Bugs Nymph and Adult Biology and Adult Preference on Cultivated Crop Plants in the Southern Brazilian Neotropics

Abstract

Abstract Laboratory studies were conducted with Dichelops furcatus (F.), Euschistus heros (F.), and Nezara viridula (L.) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) aiming to evaluate nymph and adult biology and adult preference for immature reproductive structures of the cultivated plants, soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill (Fabaceae), wheat, Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae), and canola, Brassica napus L. var. oleifera (Brassicaceae). Considering the survivorship for D. furcatus nymphs, it was greater on soybean and wheat, for E. heros nymphs it was greater on soybean compared to canola and wheat, and for N. viridula nymphs the survivorship was greater on soybean and canola. Dichelops furcatus nymphs developed faster on soybean and wheat, and E. heros and N. viridula nymphs developed faster on soybean and canola. Body weight at adult emergency for D. furcatus was greater on soybean and wheat, and for E. heros and N. viridula, it was greater on soybean. Adult survivorship and longevity were similar on soybean/wheat/canola for D. furcatus and N. viridula, and greater on soybean for E. heros. Reproduction and weight gain of adults were greater on soybean and wheat for D. furcatus, and on soybean for E. heros; N. viridula reproduced only on soybean and tended to gain greater body weight in this food source. As expected, soybean considering its superior nutritional quality was, in general, the best food. These laboratory studies coupled with field observations allow to conclude that the sequence of soybean/wheat/canola crops in the area studied forms a ‘green bridge’ that favor stink bug populations abundance in southern Brazilian neotropics.