20
Jun
First description of vibrational communication of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
In collaboration with University of Modena and ReggioEmilia, and Fondazione Edmund Mach from Italy, we have published the first description of vibrational communication of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys, also known as BMSB).
This invasive agricultural pest is causing significant damage in the United States, but is also becoming a problem in Europe, infesting many different crops. Traps with synthetic pheromones are inefficient against stink bugs because they communicate both with pheromones and vibrational signals; however, this new basic knowledge about vibrational courtship enables development of multimodal traps. In this way, our research opens new possibilities of environmentally friendly control of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and other stink bug pests.
This invasive agricultural pest is causing significant damage in the United States, but is also becoming a problem in Europe, infesting many different crops. Traps with synthetic pheromones are inefficient against stink bugs because they communicate both with pheromones and vibrational signals; however, this new basic knowledge about vibrational courtship enables development of multimodal traps. In this way, our research opens new possibilities of environmentally friendly control of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and other stink bug pests.
The paper was published online ahead of print on 14 June in the journal Physiological Entomology (Wiley).
Halyomorpha halys female on a bean leaf. Photo: Jernej Polajnar.
