An Economic Evaluation of Soybean Stink Bug Control Alternatives for the Southeastern United States

AbstractMethyl parathion or Penncap M (an encapsulated methyl parathion) are used extensively throughout the United States for controlling stink bug pests in soybeans, Glycine Max (L.) Merrill. However, this insecticide is highly toxic to mammals, birds, and non-target arthropods, and thus is less environmentally sound than other insecticides. For environmental and human health considerations, investigating alternative insecticides for control is desired. For this investigation, research based on field experimental data from Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana during the 1988 and 1989 growing seasons were employed. Results indicate that alternative, currently available, and less toxic insecticides may reduce producer costs, increase yield, and improve soybean quality. These alternative insecticides include Scout (tralomethrin), Karate (lambda-cyhalothrin), Orthene (acephate), and Baythroid (cyfluthrin). In terms of improved profits these alternative insecticides may dominate methyl parathion or encapsulated methyl parathion.

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Hunting the eagle killer: A cyanobacterial neurotoxin causes vacuolar myelinopathy

Science ◽

10.1126/science.aax9050 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 371 (6536) ◽

pp. eaax9050

Author(s):

Steffen Breinlinger ◽

Tabitha J. Phillips ◽

Brigette N. Haram ◽

Jan Mareš ◽

José A. Martínez Yerena ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Aquatic Vegetation ◽

Southeastern United States ◽

Hydrilla Verticillata ◽

Toxin Production ◽

The United States ◽

Biosynthetic Gene Cluster ◽

Biosynthetic Gene ◽

Bald Eagles ◽

Cyanobacterial Species

Vacuolar myelinopathy is a fatal neurological disease that was initially discovered during a mysterious mass mortality of bald eagles in Arkansas in the United States. The cause of this wildlife disease has eluded scientists for decades while its occurrence has continued to spread throughout freshwater reservoirs in the southeastern United States. Recent studies have demonstrated that vacuolar myelinopathy is induced by consumption of the epiphytic cyanobacterial species Aetokthonos hydrillicola growing on aquatic vegetation, primarily the invasive Hydrilla verticillata. Here, we describe the identification, biosynthetic gene cluster, and biological activity of aetokthonotoxin, a pentabrominated biindole alkaloid that is produced by the cyanobacterium A. hydrillicola. We identify this cyanobacterial neurotoxin as the causal agent of vacuolar myelinopathy and discuss environmental factors—especially bromide availability—that promote toxin production.

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Within-Field Spatial Distribution of Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)-Induced Boll Injury in Commercial Cotton Fields of the Southeastern United States

Environmental Entomology ◽

10.1603/en13332 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 43 (3) ◽

pp. 744-752 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ishakh Pulakkatu-Thodi ◽

Dominic D. Reisig ◽

Jeremy K. Greene ◽

Francis P. F. Reay-Jones ◽

Michael D. Toews

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Spatial Distribution ◽

Southeastern United States ◽

Stink Bug ◽

Cotton Fields

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Fungicide Rotation Programs for Managing Phytophthora Fruit Rot of Watermelon in Southeastern United States

Plant Health Progress ◽

10.1094/php-rs-16-0059 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 28-34 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Chandrasekar (Shaker) S. Kousik ◽

Pingsheng Ji ◽

Daniel S. Egel ◽

Lina M. Quesada-Ocampo

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

South Carolina ◽

Phytophthora Capsici ◽

Southeastern United States ◽

Heavy Rain ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

The United States ◽

Fruit Rot ◽

Management Options ◽

Before And After

About 50% of the watermelons in the United States are produced in the southeastern states, where optimal conditions for development of Phytophthora fruit rot prevail. Phytophthora fruit rot significantly limits watermelon production by causing serious yield losses before and after fruit harvest. Efficacy of fungicide rotation programs and Melcast-scheduled sprays for managing Phytophthora fruit rot was determined by conducting experiments in Phytophthora capsici-infested fields at three locations in southeastern United States (North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia). The mini seedless cultivar Wonder and seeded cultivar Mickey Lee (pollenizer) were used. Five weekly applications of fungicides were made at all locations. Significant fruit rot (53 to 91%, mean 68%) was observed in the nontreated control plots in all three years (2013 to 2015) and across locations. All fungicide rotation programs significantly reduced Phytophthora fruit rot compared with nontreated controls. Overall, the rotation of Zampro alternated with Orondis was highly effective across three locations and two years. Rotations of Actigard followed by Ranman+Ridomil Gold, Presidio, V-10208, and Orondis, or rotation of Revus alternated with Presidio were similarly effective. Use of Melcast, a melon disease-forecasting tool, may occasionally enable savings of one spray application without significantly impacting control. Although many fungicides are available for use in rotations, under very heavy rain and pathogen pressure, the fungicides alone may not offer adequate protection; therefore, an integrated approach should be used with other management options including well-drained fields.

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First record of Trissolcus basalis (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) parasitizing Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in the United States

Biodiversity Data Journal ◽

10.3897/bdj.7.e39247 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rammohan Balusu ◽

Elijah Talamas ◽

Ted Cottrell ◽

Michael Toews ◽

Brett Blaauw ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Parasitoid Wasp ◽

First Record ◽

The United States ◽

Halyomorpha Halys ◽

Stink Bug ◽

Trissolcus Basalis

A parasitoid wasp, Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston), was recorded parasitizing eggs of the invasive stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Stål) in the United States. This is the first record of this species parasitizing fresh and frozen eggs of H. halys in the United States. First record of Trissolcus basalis parasitizing Halyomorpha halys eggs in the United States.

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Cold Hardiness and Vernal Budbreak of Rhamnus caroliniana and the Invasive Rhamnus cathartica

Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science ◽

10.21273/jashs.131.3.345 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 131 (3) ◽

pp. 345-351 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

J. Ryan Stewart ◽

William R. Graves ◽

Reid D. Landes

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Water Stress ◽

Cold Hardiness ◽

Southeastern United States ◽

The United States ◽

Rhamnus Cathartica ◽

Small Tree ◽

Natural Distribution ◽

Ecological Problems ◽

Managed Landscapes

Carolina buckthorn [Rhamnus caroliniana Walt. or Frangula caroliniana (Walt.) Gray] is an attractive and water-stress-resistant shrub or small tree distributed extensively in the southeastern United States that merits use in managed landscapes. Due to substantial climatic differences within its distribution (30-year normal midwinter minima range from 13 to -8 °C), selection among provenances based on differences in cold hardiness is warranted. Before selections are marketed, the potential of carolina buckthorn to be invasive also merits investigation. Ecological problems resulting from the introduction of Rhamnus L. species in the United States, most notably the dominance of R. cathartica L. (common buckthorn) over neighboring taxa, are due in part to early budbreak. Consequently, we investigated depth of cold hardiness and vernal budbreak of carolina buckthorn and common buckthorn. Stem samples of carolina buckthorn and common buckthorn collected in midwinter survived temperatures as low as -21 and -24 °C, respectively. Although the cold hardiness of carolina buckthorns from Missouri was greater than that of carolina buckthorns from Ohio and Texas on 2 Apr. 2003, there were no differences in cold hardiness of stems from Missouri and Texas on all three assessment dates in the second experiment. All plants survived at both field locations except for the carolina buckthorns from southern Texas planted in Iowa, which showed 0% and 17% survival in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Budbreak of both species with and without mulch in Ames, Iowa, was recorded from 9 Apr. to 10 May 2002. Mean budbreak of common buckthorn was 5.7 days earlier than budbreak of carolina buckthorn, and buds of mulched carolina buckthorns broke 4.2 days earlier than did buds of unmulched carolina buckthorns. We conclude that the cold hardiness of carolina buckthorn is sufficient to permit the species to be planted outside of its natural distribution. Populations of carolina buckthorn in Ohio and Missouri should be the focus of efforts to select genotypes for use in regions with harsh winters. Phenology of its budbreak suggests carolina buckthorn will not be as invasive as common buckthorn, but evaluation of additional determinants of invasiveness is warranted.

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Cry Wolf Effect? Evaluating the Impact of False Alarms on Public Responses to Tornado Alerts in the Southeastern United States

Weather Climate and Society ◽

10.1175/wcas-d-18-0080.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 549-563 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

JungKyu Rhys Lim ◽

Brooke Fisher Liu ◽

Michael Egnoto

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

False Alarm ◽

Protective Action ◽

Southeastern United States ◽

The United States ◽

False Alarms ◽

Protective Behavior ◽

Tornado Warnings ◽

Research Findings ◽

The Impact

Abstract On average, 75% of tornado warnings in the United States are false alarms. Although forecasters have been concerned that false alarms may generate a complacent public, only a few research studies have examined how the public responds to tornado false alarms. Through four surveys (N = 4162), this study examines how residents in the southeastern United States understand, process, and respond to tornado false alarms. The study then compares social science research findings on perceptions of false alarms to actual county false alarm ratios and the number of tornado warnings issued by counties. Contrary to prior research, findings indicate that concerns about false alarm ratios generating a complacent public may be overblown. Results show that southeastern U.S. residents estimate tornado warnings to be more accurate than they are. Participants’ perceived false alarm ratios are not correlated with actual county false alarm ratios. Counterintuitively, the higher individuals perceive false alarm ratios and tornado alert accuracy to be, the more likely they are to take protective behavior such as sheltering in place in response to tornado warnings. Actual country false alarm ratios and the number of tornado warnings issued did not predict taking protective action.

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Long-Term Timber Contracts in the Southeastern United States: Updating the Primer Valuation Framework

Forest Science ◽

10.1093/forsci/fxaa020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (6) ◽

pp. 653-665

Author(s):

Hector I Restrepo ◽

Bin Mei ◽

Bronson P Bullock

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Interest Rates ◽

Southeastern United States ◽

Price Volatility ◽

Forest Products ◽

The United States ◽

Raw Material ◽

Conditional Volatility ◽

Material Supply

Abstract Timberland ownership has drastically changed in the United States since the 1980s, driven by the divestitures of vertically integrated forest products companies. Having sold their timberland, forest products companies have exposed themselves more to the risk of raw material supply. To hedge against this risk, forest products companies usually use long-term timber contracts (LTTC). The objective of this article is to update the valuation framework for LTTCs proposed by Shaffer (1984) by including alternative option price models and refining the estimates of some key economic variables. In particular, conditional volatility from the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity model and quasi-conditional volatility from rolling estimation windows, in addition to simple standard deviation, are used for the volatility estimates in the option pricing models. Contrary to the previous result by Shaffer (1984), our analysis suggests that LTTCs that were once profitable for forest products companies in the 1980s are no longer so under current market conditions. This is primarily because both timber price volatility and the risk-free interest rates have declined significantly. Thus, to be better off, forest products companies need to either lower the administration and management costs of those LTTCs or rely more on the open market for timber procurement. Study Implications: Forest products companies have traditionally relied on long-term timber contracts (LTTC) negotiated with forest landowners to mitigate the risk of raw material supply. The value of these LTTCs highly depends on the economic context. This research provides some insights into the valuation of LTTCs in the southeastern United States. Forest products companies can use this updated framework to aid their decisionmaking in timber procurement.

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The Biology of Downy Brome (Bromus tectorum)

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/s0043174500060185 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 32 (S1) ◽

pp. 7-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Donald C. Thill ◽

K. George Beck ◽

Robert H. Callihan

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

British Columbia ◽

Triticum Aestivum ◽

Bromus Tectorum ◽

Southeastern United States ◽

The United States ◽

Early Spring ◽

Western United States ◽

Downy Brome ◽

Perennial Grassland

Downy brome (Bromus tectorumL. # BROTE), also known as cheatgrass, downy chess, broncograss, Mormon oats, and junegrass, was introduced into the United States from Europe, apparently during the middle of the nineteenth century (11, 21). According to Mack (23), downy brome entered British Columbia, Washington, and Utah around 1890; and by 1928 it had reached its present range, occupying much of the perennial grassland in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, and British Columbia. Today, downy brome is a widespread weed throughout most of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, except for the southeastern United States (5, 17). Some consider downy brome to be an important forage because it provides most of the early spring grazing for livestock in western United States rangeland (21). However, it is also considered a troublesome weed in rangeland (31), winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) (27), several other crops (29), and noncropland (32).

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Two Distinct Genotypes of Spissistilus festinus (Say, 1830) (Hemiptera, Membracidae) in the United States Revealed by Phylogenetic and Morphological Analyses

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects11020080 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 80

Author(s):

Elizabeth Cieniewicz ◽

Victoria Poplaski ◽

Melina Brunelli ◽

Jason Dombroskie ◽

Marc Fuchs

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Southeastern United States ◽

Variable Region ◽

The United States ◽

Coi Gene ◽

Its2 Region ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Spissistilus Festinus

Spissistilus festinus (Say, 1830) (Hemiptera: Membracidae) is a frequent pest of leguminous crops in the Southern United States, and a vector of grapevine red blotch virus. There is currently no information on the genetic diversity of S. festinus. In this study, populations of S. festinus were collected in 2015–2017 from various crops and geographic locations in the United States, and fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase 1 (mt-COI) gene and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region were characterized by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses of the mt-COI and ITS2 sequences yielded similar phylogenetic tree topologies, revealing two distinct genetic S. festinus lineages with all of the specimens from California comprising one phylogenetic clade, alongside a single GenBank entry from Arizona, and all specimens from the Southeastern United States comprising a statistically-supported distinct clade, regardless of host and year of collection. The mt-COI gene fragment showed up to 10.8% genetic distance between the two phylogenetic clades. These results suggest the existence of two genotypes within S. festinus in the United States. The only distinct morphological trait between the two genotypes was a less elevated pronotum in the representative specimens from California, compared to the representative specimens from the Southeastern United States. Since this phenotypic feature is inconspicuous, a diagnostic polymerase chain reaction targeting a variable region of the mt-COI fragment was developed to reliably distinguish between the specimens of the two genotypes of S. festinus and to facilitate their specific identification.

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Community Composition, Abundance, and Phenology of Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Soybean in the North Central Region of the United States

Journal of Economic Entomology ◽

10.1093/jee/toz099 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 112 (4) ◽

pp. 1722-1731 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Daniela T Pezzini ◽

Christina D DiFonzo ◽

Deborah L Finke ◽

Thomas E Hunt ◽

Janet J Knodel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Central Region ◽

The United States ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Stink Bug ◽

North Central Region ◽

Stink Bugs ◽

North Central ◽

The North

Abstract Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are an increasing threat to soybean (Fabales: Fabaceae) production in the North Central Region of the United States, which accounts for 80% of the country’s total soybean production. Characterization of the stink bug community is essential for development of management programs for these pests. However, the composition of the stink bug community in the region is not well defined. This study aimed to address this gap with a 2-yr, 9-state survey. Specifically, we characterized the relative abundance, richness, and diversity of taxa in this community, and assessed phenological differences in abundance of herbivorous and predatory stink bugs. Overall, the stink bug community was dominated by Euschistus spp. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Chinavia hilaris (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Euschistus variolarius (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), C. hilaris and Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) were more abundant in the northwestern, southeastern and eastern parts, respectively, of the North Central Region of the United States. Economically significant infestations of herbivorous species occurred in fields in southern parts of the region. Species richness differed across states, while diversity was the same across the region. Herbivorous and predatory species were more abundant during later soybean growth stages. Our results represent the first regional characterization of the stink bug community in soybean fields and will be fundamental for the development of state- and region-specific management programs for these pests in the North Central Region of the United States.

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