Stink Bugs of Economic Importance in America North of Mexico PDF

Preface

Stink bugs (family: Pentatomidae) occur throughout North America and include both phytophagous and predaceous species. Most are phytophagous, however, and several cause annual economic losses to a wide array of fruits, nuts, row crops, and vegetables. Stink bug-induced injury to the agricultural commodities of America north of Mexico contributes significantly to the economy of the region. For example, losses from stink bugs on soybeans in the southeastern United States (including costs of control and damage) can exceed $60 million in some years. Stink bug feeding results in lower quality of commodities, reduced yields, and, in severe cases, the unacceptability of the damaged crop into the marketplace.

Because so many agricultural products are affected by stink bug feeding, and because stink bug pests also feed on hundreds of weed hosts and uncultivated plants during their life cycles, it is difficult to obtain an overall appreciation of the impact these arthropods have on agriculture throughout the world. Stink Bugs of Economic Importance in America North of Mexico presents the first compilation of research reports of economic injury caused by stink bugs on all the major agricultural commodities produced in North America. We have summarized the enormous volume of scientific articles on stink bugs (approximately 700 references cited) into a single, concise book that includes an overview of the major crops attacked, keys to the pest stink bugs, a discussion of the biology of these pests, and a consideration of the management tactics used in the control of these bugs.

Over 200 host plant species have been tabulated, based on reports of stink bug feeding and development noted or implied in the research articles cited. Each of these host plants is alphabetized within three tables by common name, scientific name, and within family, simplifying review of host plant information. In addition, 12 major crops or crop groups (fruit) that are attacked by stink bugs are covered, including historical crop development, production statistics in North America, crop phenology and growth, crop stages attacked, and a description of the crop injury resulting from stink bug feeding.

Correct identification of pest stink bugs is critical to the development of a strategy to manage or control these pests. This book provides comprehensive keys for identification of the 45 species and subspecies of pest stink bugs that commonly are encountered throughout North America, without requiring the use of other published keys to complete the identification process. It includes 64 line drawings that illustrate the morphological characters needed for identification, making it useful even for individuals not trained in stink bug taxonomy.

Stink Bugs of Economic Importance in America North of Mexico presents eight chapters on the most important stink bug species. These chapters highlight life histories (mating, development of immatures, natural enemies, host plants attacked, scent gland secretions, and pheromones), laboratory studies, descriptions of life stages, and a crop-by-crop discussion of economic damage. Twenty-six photographs are included as examples of crop damage and the egg, nymphal, and adult stages.

The final chapter presents an overview of the tactics being used in many different cropping systems to manage stink bug pest infestations. Consequences of using no controls when economic injury levels are reached are discussed. A review of the biological control of stink bug pests is presented. Seven different cultural control practices are highlighted. The benefits and risks associated with chemical control options also are presented. The pest management discussion concludes with a philosophical futuristic outlook on stink bug biology, management, and control.

Stink Bugs of Economic Importance in America North of Mexico provides the first comprehensive treatment of the basic and applied research information on stink bug pests and inclusive taxonomic keys under one cover.

We have compiled a vast amount of information and resources from many agroecosystems, and, therefore, hope the book will be useful to a wide audience. We thank all individuals (listed in the Acknowledgments) who helped us prepare this publication but especially are grateful to Angelika P. Schmid-Riley for her commitment to excellence in preparing the illustrations used in the taxonomic keys and to Duncan K. McClusky, Kathleen G. Fahey, and Kimbra C. Frost for their many hours of library service dedicated to this project. Finally, we express our sincere appreciation for the patience, love, and support provided by our wives Jean M. McPherson and Shelby C. McPherson during the extended period we were preparing this book.