Dados da cronobiologia de Euschistus heros

Understanding the chemical and behavioral ecology of the Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is essential for developing effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies in South American soybean production. This study investigated the courtship behavior and diel periodicity of sex pheromone emission, comparing variations in laboratory-reared (LR) and field-collected (FC) strains of E. heros. Courtship was categorized into distinct sequential stages, and pheromone emissions were analyzed over a 24-hour period using dynamic headspace collection. LR males exhibited a pronounced peak in pheromone release between 15:00 and 18:00 hours, with no significant differences observed between the two strains. Courtship followed a consistent sequence, including antennal contact, female acceptance, and mounting. This study provides the first detailed characterization of the diel pattern of sex pheromone emission and a comprehensive ethogram of E. heros courtship. These findings advance our understanding of reproductive behavior, and pheromone-mediated communication in this pest species, offering practical insights for optimizing behavioral manipulation strategies in IPM programs.