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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #295913
Title: A chemical lure for stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is used as a kairomone by Astata occidentalis (Hymenoptera: sphecidae)

Author
item Cottrell, Ted
item Landolt, Peter
item ZHANG, QING-HE - Sterling International, Inc
item ZACK, RICHARD - Washington State University

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/18/2013
Publication Date: 3/1/2014
Citation: Cottrell, T.E., Landolt, P.J., Zhang, Q., Zack, R.S. 2014. A chemical lure for stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is used as a kairomone by Astata occidentalis (Hymenoptera: sphecidae). Florida Entomologist. 97:233-237.

Interpretive Summary: The digger wasp Astata occidentalis is a predator of stink bugs. In the states of Washington and Georgia, adult females were consistently captured in the field in traps baited with lures that are attractive to the exotic brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys). In Georgia, wasps were captured in 4 counties where these stink bug lures were placed. Highest captures of this predatory wasp that attacks stink bugs, like the brown marmorated stink bug, were in traps baited with the stink bug chemical lure methyl decatrienoate. Wasps were captured from July through September with peak response in August in Washington. In Georgia, wasp capture was highest as soon as traps were deployed in late May/early June and then capture peaked again during July and early August. Although highly attracted to the pheromone of the exotic brown marmorated stink bug, we are not aware of any records showing that this wasp preys on the exotic brown marmorated stink bug.

Technical Abstract: The digger wasp Astata occidentalis Cresson (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) is a predator of pentatomid stink bugs (Hemiptera). In the states of Washington and Georgia, adult females were consistently captured in the field in traps baited with lures that included methyl (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate, a compound that is attractive to the exotic brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys Ståhl. In Georgia, wasps were captured in 4 counties where these stink bug lures were placed. In direct comparisons of methyl (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate and methyl (E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate, highest captures of A. occidentalis were in traps baited with methyl decatrienoate. Wasps were captured from July through September with peak response in August in Washington. In Georgia, wasp capture was highest as soon as traps were deployed in late May/early June and then capture peaked again during July and early August. Although highly attracted to the pheromone of the exotic H. halys, there are no records of A. occidentalis preying on H. halys.