Effect of Infestation by the Rice Stink Bug, Oebalus pugnax, on Yield and Quality in Rice1

Abstract The rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (F.), is the most important pest of headed rice, Oryza sativa L., in the United States. Numerous studies have attempted to quantify the impact of O. pugnax feeding on rice yield and grain quality, but these studies have often produced conflicting results. Across mid-south U.S. rice, thresholds based on sweep net sampling are used to determine the need for insecticide applications, but few studies have related sweep net captures to rice quality parameters. Field trials were conducted in Louisiana in 2015 and 2016 that used different rates of insecticides to establish rice plots with mean O. pugnax infestations ranging from 0.8 to 24.6 insects per 10 sweeps. Insecticide applications improved panicle weight and head yields as well as decreased percentage peck. A series of linear regressions examined relationships between O. pugnax captures and rice yield and quality parameters, including panicle weight, head yield (% whole kernels), and peck (discolored grains). Mean O. pugnax sweep net captures across all sampling dates in both years were significantly and negatively correlated to panicle weight and head yield and positively correlated to percentage peck. Peck was negatively correlated with head yield. Results from sampling at different maturity stages indicate sweep net captures at grain fill and soft dough stages had the greatest influence on rice yield and quality parameters, respectively. Further research into impacts of milling quality reductions on farm revenue and the influence of cumulative infestations over grain development is needed to improve economic thresholds for O. pugnax in rice.

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Susceptibility of Rice to Oebalus pugnax (F.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Feeding at Different Levels of Grain Maturity and Impacts on Insecticide Termination

Journal of Economic Entomology ◽

10.1093/jee/toz250 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

A J Cato ◽

G M Lorenz ◽

N R Bateman ◽

J T Hardke ◽

J L Black ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Yield Loss ◽

Oryza Sativa L ◽

Stink Bug ◽

Stink Bugs ◽

Large Cage ◽

Oebalus Pugnax ◽

Different Levels ◽

Rice Panicles ◽

Or Applications ◽

Rice Stink Bug

Abstract The stages of rice, Oryza sativa L. (Poales: Poaceae), grain maturity that are most susceptible to rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (F.), damage have been identified; however, the stage at which they are no longer capable of causing appreciable damage during grain maturity is unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the susceptibility of rice to rice stink bug feeding at different levels of grain maturity and determine an insecticide termination timing. Rice stink bug damage was examined using five levels of grain maturity described as percent of kernels reaching mature straw coloration referred to as hard dough (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%) across a range of infestation levels using single panicle sleeve cages and large cages. Hybrid and conventional cultivar rice panicles at 20, 40, and 60% hard dough were found to be susceptible to indirect yield loss, as two rice stink bugs per panicle resulted in over 7% peck. In large cage trials, 25 rice stink bugs caused 0.7–1% peck to hybrid and conventional rice plots at 20% hard dough. Much less damage was observed once rice reached 60% hard dough, where peck averages only reached 0.4%. Decreased damage at 60% hard dough was validated using uncaged trials where 0.4% additional peck was observed in unsprayed plots. These data indicate that rice in the early stages of hard dough is susceptible to large levels of indirect yield loss, but unless significant densities of rice stink bug are present at 60% hard dough, no more sampling or applications are necessary.

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n-Tridecane and trans-2-Heptenal in Scent Gland of the Rice Stink Bug Oebalus pugnax (F.)

Science ◽

10.1126/science.132.3438.1480 ◽

1960 ◽

Vol 132 (3438) ◽

pp. 1480-1481 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

M. S. Blum ◽

J. G. Traynham ◽

J. B. Chidester ◽

J. D. Boggus

Keyword(s):

Stink Bug ◽

Scent Gland ◽

Oebalus Pugnax ◽

Rice Stink Bug

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Effect of Weeds on Rice Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Populations in Florida Rice Fields

Journal of Entomological Science ◽

10.18474/0749-8004-40.4.378 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 378-384 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ron Cherry ◽

Andy Bennett

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Rice Fields ◽

Stink Bug ◽

Stink Bugs ◽

Large Numbers ◽

Oebalus Pugnax ◽

Panicum Dichotomiflorum ◽

Rice Stink Bug

The effect of weeds on rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (F.), populations was studied in Florida rice fields. Fall panicum, Panicum dichotomiflorum Michaux, was the most common grassy weed found in weedy areas of rice fields, and significantly more rice stink bugs were found in these weedy areas vs nonweedy areas in the fields. Large numbers of rice stink bugs also were found in unmowed roadsides containing heading weeds, especially coast cockspur, Echinochloa walteri (Pursh) Heller. In contrast, few rice stink bugs were found in mowed roadsides which prevented weed heading around rice fields. Our study shows that weed control helps reduce rice stink bug populations in Florida rice.

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Evaluating Behavioral Responses of Selected Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) to Spinosad

Journal of Economic Entomology ◽

10.1093/jee/toaa191 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 113 (6) ◽

pp. 2732-2738

Author(s):

Kukuh Hernowo ◽

Kathy Kamminga ◽

Jeffrey A Davis

Keyword(s):

Soybean Seed ◽

Feeding Preference ◽

Stink Bug ◽

Stink Bugs ◽

Technical Grade ◽

Redbanded Stink Bug ◽

Southern Green Stink Bug ◽

Oebalus Pugnax ◽

Green Stink Bug ◽

Rice Stink Bug

Abstract Southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.) and redbanded stink bug, Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) are two of the most important seed sucking pests affecting Louisiana soybean production and rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (F.) is an important late season pest in Louisiana rice. Exploration of chemicals that exhibit attraction or repellent activities toward major stink bug species would be beneficial in developing push–pull strategies. Spinosad is a commercially available natural insecticide that may have arrestant, attractant, or phagostimulant properties against stink bugs. To test this, a series of laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the tactile, olfactory, and feeding responses of these stink bugs toward two commercial spinosad products (Entrust and Tracer) and technical grade spinosad. In tactile assays, female and male redbanded stink bug were arrested by Entrust, Tracer, and technical grade spinosad, whereas only rice stink bug and southern green stink bug males were arrested by Entrust. Y-tube assays revealed no attraction to any of the products by either male or female rice stink bug, redbanded stink bug, or southern green stink bug. In paired (treated or untreated soybean seed) feeding preference experiments, southern green stink bug showed no preference for any treatment, whereas redbanded stink bug fed more on Entrust- and Tracer-treated seed. From these results, spinosad appears to have an arrestant and phagostimulant effect on redbanded stink bug in the laboratory.

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Influence of Sweep Length on Rice Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Capture and Reliability of Population Density Estimates

Journal of Economic Entomology ◽

10.1093/jee/toz189 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Aaron J Cato ◽

Nicholas R Bateman ◽

Gus M Lorenz ◽

Jarrod T Hardke ◽

Joseph L Black ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oryza Sativa L ◽

Southern United States ◽

Specific Recommendation ◽

Stink Bug ◽

Stink Bugs ◽

Density Estimates ◽

Action Threshold ◽

Oebalus Pugnax ◽

Sweep Net ◽

Rice Stink Bug

Abstract The rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (F.), is a key pest of heading rice, Oryza sativa L. (Poales: Poaceae), in the southern United States. Sweep net sampling is the recommended method for sampling rice stink bug in rice, but there currently exists no specific recommendation for sweep length, and a large amount of variation likely exists amongst samplers. The objectives of this study were to determine the role that sweep length plays in sampling accuracy and determine the feasibility of using sweep lengths smaller than 180°. When monitoring sweep lengths by consultants, producers, and researchers, a large amount of variation in sweep length and a significant linear relationship between sweep length and rice stink bug catch per 10 sweeps was observed. Sweep length was then controlled at three levels (0.8, 1.8, and 3.5 m) and a change from 0.8 to 1.8 m in sweep length led to an increase on average of 2.28 rice stink bugs per 10 sweeps. These data suggest knowledge of sweep length is vital, and paired with large amounts of observed variation in sweep length, recommending a specific sweep length is ideal. Using Taylor’s values, it was determined that 1.8 m sweeps resulted in density estimates that were as reliable as 3.5 m (180°) sweeps, suggesting a longer sweep length was not necessary. A 1.8 m sweep length recommendation would create an easier sampling regimen that is still reliable, which could lead to more accurate action threshold decisions being made for rice stink bug if it increases adoption in consultants and producers.

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Evaluation of Beauveria bassiana for Control of Oebalus pugnax (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Rice

Journal of Entomological Science ◽

10.18474/0749-8004-41.2.126 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. 126-146 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dilipkumar T. Patel ◽

James R. Fuxa ◽

Michael J. Stout

Keyword(s):

Beauveria Bassiana ◽

High Temperatures ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Disease Prevalence ◽

Stink Bug ◽

Single Application ◽

Chemical Insecticide ◽

Oebalus Pugnax ◽

Small Plot ◽

Rice Stink Bug

Isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin were tested for biological control of rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (F.), in the laboratory, in small-plot field experiments compared with conventional insecticides, and in a large-plot experiment to determine the spread and persistence of the fungus. Isolate RSB was found in a naturally- infected O. pugnax in a rice field near Crowley, LA, and isolates LRC28 and LRC21 were obtained for their relatively good growth at high temperatures. The soil-derived isolate LRC28 was more virulent to O. pugnax adults than isolate RSB in a laboratory experiment. The fungal isolates, applied at 5.0–5.7 × 1012 conidia/ha, did not differ from one another in reducing insect numbers or in infecting rice stink bugs in the small-plot experiments, although isolates LRC28 and RSB, but not LRC21, occasionally differed from the control. The overall impact of B. bassiana was moderate on O. pugnax nymphs and minimal on adults in the small-plot experiments. A single application of B. bassiana reduced rice stink bug nymphs on six of nine sampling dates and adults on two of nine sampling dates from 2–10 d after application in the three small-plot experiments, and prevalence of the fungus was higher in the B. bassiana treatment than in controls for nymphs on four dates versus none for adults. A single application of chemical insecticide reduced total rice stink bug numbers more than B. bassiana for at least 7 d in small-plot experiments, whereas a double application was more effective than B. bassiana for 10 d against nymphs. Beauveria bassiana was nearly as effective as a single application of chemical insecticide in suppressing rice stink bug numbers 7–8 d after application. Mixtures of B. bassiana and chemical insecticide provided better control of rice stink bug than a single application of either material alone. Fungal epizootics lasted 17–22 d after application, and a low level of fungus recycling occurred in all of the field experiments. In an experiment to monitor spread, B. bassiana moved rapidly after its application, probably because of host transport. However, disease prevalence did not differ with distance from the treated plot. Disease prevalence was significantly greater in O. pugnax and Lygus spp. than in orthopterans. High temperatures probably were the major factor limiting B. bassiana epizootics in the current research. Thus, B. bassiana has potential for integrated management programs of O. pugnax in rice, because it was moderately effective against nymphs and had an additive effect with insecticides.

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