Efficacy of Insecticides Against Acrosternum hilare and Euschistus servus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Virginia and North Carolina

Laboratory bioassays and field trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of selected organophosphate, pyrethroid, and neonicotinoid insecticides, as well as a chitin inhibitor, novaluron, against 2 common stink bug pests in Virginia, the green stink bug, Acrosternum hilare (Say), and the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say). Green bean dip bioassays revealed differences in insecticide susceptibility between the 2 species. Acrosternum hilare adults were highly susceptible to all pyrethroids tested, the organophosphates except acephate, and the neonicotinoids except acetamiprid. Acrosternum hilare nymphs were also susceptible to all pyrethroids tested. In general, the neonicotinoids, dinotefuran and clothianidin, were toxic to A. hilare, whereas thiamethoxam and acetamiprid were toxic to E. servus. In field trials in soybean, the neonicotinoids, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam were efficacious at controlling stink bugs and, in general, performed comparably to the organophosphates and pyrethroids. These results indicate that neonicotinoid insecticides offer an alternative to growers for managing stink bugs that may fit with integrated pest management programs where conservation of natural enemies is a consideration.