General Insect Management 751
Stink bug feeding during petal fall on fruit trees results in increased amounts of aborted fruit (Nielsen
and Hamilton 2009). On peaches, early season damage can result in a severe deformation commonly
referred to as catfacing, which also can be caused by plant bugs and plum curculio (Rings 1957). Mid-
and late season damage is expressed as gummosis (exudation of gummy substance at the probing site),
a discolored depression with a water-soaked appearance and/or a discolored area surrounding the stylet
sheath extending into the flesh of the fruit. Damage to apple can be difficult to diagnose because it closely
resembles the physiological disorders cork spot and bitter pit (Brown 2003, Brown and Short 2010). The
only consistent, definitive way to confirm damage by stink bugs is the presence of a feeding puncture
(≈0.17 mm in diameter) observed under high magnification (Leskey et al. 2009). Damage to vegetables
also is expressed as a discoloration on mature fruit near the feeding site. Feeding by Nezara viridula on
immature green tomatoes can induce premature ripening of fruit, leading to reduced yields (Lye et al.
1988a). Symptoms of Murgantia histrionica and Bagrada hilaris feeding on brassicas can vary by crop,
plant age, and plant structure attacked (Ludwig and Kok 2001, Haung et al. 2014). Symptoms can range
from discoloration at the feeding site on mature leaves, to distorted growth when feeding on apical meri-
stem tissue, to death of seedling plants. Finally, stink bug feeding also has been associated with fruit rot
of tomato caused by the yeast Eremothecium coryli (Miyao et al. 2000, Brust and Rane 2011).
16.3.1.7.1.1.2.2 Chemical Control Management of stink bugs can be challenging on high-value
fruit and vegetable crops due to consumer demand for high cosmetic standards and the resultant low
tolerance levels for damage (Lye et al. 1988b, Zalom et al. 1997). Consequently, chemical control has
been the primary means of managing stink bugs in these crops. Since the loss of many broad spectrum
organophosphates, carbamates and organochlorines, management now is achieved largely by pyrethroid
TABLE 16.1
Species of Stink Bugs Most Frequently Reported as Pests of Tree Fruits and Vegetables in North America
Species Common Name Importance^1
Chinavia hilaris (Say) Green stink bug Common on tree fruits and vegetables throughout North
America, most common in southeast.
Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister) Bagrada or painted bug Invasive pest brassicas in southwestern US and Mexico.
Euschistus servus (Say) Brown stink bug Common on tree fruits and vegetables primarily in
eastern North America, although it occurs in western
regions.
Euschistus conspersus Uhler Conspersus stink bug Tree fruits and vegetables in western North America.
Most common stink bug pest in western region.
Euschistus tristigmus (Say) Dusky stink bug Tree fruits and occasionally vegetables primarily in
eastern North America. Less common than Euschistus
servus.
Euschistus variolarius
(Palisot de Beauvois)
Onespotted stink bug Tree fruits, most common in northern areas of middle
and eastern North America.
Halyomorpha halys (Stål) Brown marmorated stink
bug
Invasive pest common on tree fruits and vegetables in
eastern and northwestern US range is expanding.
Murgantia histrionica (Hahn) Harlequin bug Brassicas throughout the southern half of North
America.
Nezara viridula (L.) Southern green stink bug Primarily vegetables in southeastern North America, but
its distribution extends to California.
Chlorochroa sayi (Stål) Say stink bug Occasional pest of vegetables primarily in western
North America.
Thyanta custator custator (F.)
(eastern U.S.)
Thyanta pallidovirens (Stål)
(western U.S.)
Redshouldered stink bug Primarily vegetable across southern tier of North
America.(^1) Information on crops affected and distribution obtained from McPherson and McPherson (2000), Campinera (2001),
Palumbo and Natwick 2010, and http://www.StopBMSB.org (accessed 17 December 2015).