Seasonal abundance, species composition, fruit damage, and attracticidal control of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in apple orchards in Québec, Canada

Apple (Malus domestica Borkhausen, Rosaceae, Rosales) orchards in Québec (Canada) have recently experienced increases in both stink bug populations and associated fruit damage. Even in the absence of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), stink bugs are jeopardizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs since few environment-friendly control options are available. The objectives of this study were thus to (i) acquire knowledge on the seasonal abundance and species composition of Pentatomidae in 4 apple orchards using baited pyramid traps and beating trays and (ii) adapt and test an attract-and-kill (AK) strategy based on the knowledge acquired. Twenty species of stink bugs were collected over 3 years. Euschistus servus euschistoides (Vollenhoven) represented 80% of individuals captured overall and peaked at the end of August. Chinavia hilaris (Say), Euschistus tristigmus (Say), and H. halys came in second, third, and fourth place, respectively. Trece's multi-species pheromone lures (Pherocon CSB+GSB+BMSB) commercialized for Euschistus sp., C. hilaris and H. halys respectively, caught the highest numbers of species and individuals, and were thus chosen for the AK trial. Lures were used in combination with sticky-coated yellow panel traps deployed at the periphery of the orchards. AK resulted in high stink bug mortality (numbers equivalent to ca. 10,000 individuals/ha) and damage was reduced by 25% overall for the 4 orchards, but not enough to translate into a statistically significant effect. Visual appearance of damage to fruit caused by phytophagous stink bugs on different cultivars is described.