Articles
Edge effects of invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, infestation and damage in almond orchards
Article number
1406_52
Pages
367 – 376
Language
English
Abstract
The invasive brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys, was first found in an almond orchard in 2017 and is currently prevalent in northern San Joaquin Valley and some areas of the southern San Joaquin Valley.
BMSB can cause substantial damage to the developing nuts, resulting in economic loss for growers.
Here, we investigated the edge effects of BMSB in almonds.
We found that BMSB is a heavily border-driven pest in almonds as the degree of damage was substantially higher in the orchard edge (border rows) compared to the interior of the orchard.
In the first study, we found that the average percent kernel damage at the orchard edge was over 25%, statistically higher than all other interior distances (12.2, 24.4, 36.6, 48.8, and 61.0 m). Likewise, early-season nut drops and mid-season injuries to green nuts were significantly higher in the orchard edge.
In another study to evaluate the edge effect by assessing harvest samples from multiple BMSB-infested orchards, we found that the average kernel damage by hemipterans, including BMSB, was two times higher in the edge compared to the interior (~60 m into the orchard). The implications of these study results are discussed in the context of improving the monitoring and management of BMSB and other hemipteran pests in almond orchards.
BMSB can cause substantial damage to the developing nuts, resulting in economic loss for growers.
Here, we investigated the edge effects of BMSB in almonds.
We found that BMSB is a heavily border-driven pest in almonds as the degree of damage was substantially higher in the orchard edge (border rows) compared to the interior of the orchard.
In the first study, we found that the average percent kernel damage at the orchard edge was over 25%, statistically higher than all other interior distances (12.2, 24.4, 36.6, 48.8, and 61.0 m). Likewise, early-season nut drops and mid-season injuries to green nuts were significantly higher in the orchard edge.
In another study to evaluate the edge effect by assessing harvest samples from multiple BMSB-infested orchards, we found that the average kernel damage by hemipterans, including BMSB, was two times higher in the edge compared to the interior (~60 m into the orchard). The implications of these study results are discussed in the context of improving the monitoring and management of BMSB and other hemipteran pests in almond orchards.
Authors
J.P. Rijal, R. Bansal, S. Gyawaly
Keywords
border rows, pest management, IPM, harvest quality
Groups involved
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