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In 2004 through 2007, biological and ecological studies were conducted on the stink bug complex across Eastern North Carolina with emphasis on the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Ecological studies included the use of survey samples, pheromone traps, and black light traps to monitor brown stink and green stink bug, Acrosternum hilare (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), movement across selected Eastern North Carolina agro-ecosystems. Ecological research also focused on the movement of brown stink bugs within a wheat / corn agro-ecosystem through the use of sweep net samples and whole plant examinations, along with the vertical distribution of brown stink bugs on corn plants. Based upon brown stink bugs ability to fully complete the F1 generation within wheat in NC, historical weather data was examined utilizing a sine wave growing degree day model to predict the number of generations possible. The relationship among differing stink bug boll-feeding symptoms (external signs vs. internal symptoms) and boll damage to lint gin-out and quality were also examined. The last ecological study focused on the evaluation of the relationship between stink bug pressure and yield under a regressive spray treatment. A molecular study was conducted to help validate brown stink bug movement between crops by separating proteins of crop host from insect guts utilizing gel electrophoresis and mass finger printing the peptides. The peptides were then searched against the Viridiplantea data base for conformation which crop host proteins were derived from. Results from this work have given some insight to the biological and ecological movement of stink bugs across Eastern North Carolina. It has also demonstrated that there is a need for further investigation into the stink bug complex. |
