Brown marmorated stink bug survey, diagnostics, phenology, biocontrol, insecticides, and RNAi test data for BMSB management in Ontario

Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys Stål, is an invasive pest native to East Asia. First identified in Pennsylvania in 2001, it has now been detected in 44 states and 3 provinces (Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia), and is of economic importance throughout the Mid-Atlantic US. There are more than 170 North American plant hosts, including broad spectrum of important fruit (e.g., apples and grapes), vegetable and field crops, as well as landscape trees and shrubs. All are important agricultural commodities in Ontario. The presence of increasing numbers of BMSB in close proximity to high risk agricultural crops continues to heighten grower concerns. Effective and novel management strategies need to be identified and surveys continued.The primary goal of this project was to identify sustainable management strategies for BMSB in crops immediately at risk in Ontario (i.e., apples, tender fruits and grapes) and continue to survey for presence of the invasive pest in at risk crops with grower cooperation. Objectives: 1) Investigate sustainable management strategies for BMSB including: i) Chemical control (oral and contact toxicity, methods of delivering products insecticides (singly and in combinations), attract and kill combinations, and ii) Genetic control - RNAi tactics; 2) Development of diagnostic methods in fruits (apples, tender fruits and grapes) to improve our ability to identify BMSB damage in the field (differentiate from indigenous stink bug damage). 3) Continue to survey for BMSB in at risk crops focusing on a program that involves growers being responsible for operation of pheromone traps on their orchards/farms.