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Title: Pentatomid cotton pests in southeastern United States: Shifting pest status and the role of microbes in crop damage

Author
item ZELLINGER, ADAM - University Of California
item Olson, Dawn
item ANDOW, DAVE - University Of Minnesota

Submitted to: European Congress of Entomology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/2/2014
Publication Date: 8/5/2014
Citation: Zellinger, A., Olson, D.M., Andow, D. 2014. Pentatomid cotton pests in southeastern United States: Shifting pest status and the role of microbes in crop damage[abstract]. European Congress of Entomology.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Pentatomid stink bug pests, namely Nezara viridula and Euschistus servus, have become the most serious pest groups for cotton production in the southeastern United States in the last few decades. The widespread adoption of transgenic Bt cotton in the region has likely contributed to Pentatomid outbreaks; the effective management of Lepidopteran pests by Bt cotton has led to reduced broad-spectrum insecticide use and reduced interference competition. In addition, changes in the timing and cultivation of other crop hosts, namely soybean and maize, may be contributing to the outbreaks. The rise of stink bugs as primary cotton pests have also motivated an appreciation into the importance of stink bug-associated microbes in causing cotton crop damage. In this talk, I will review work that we have conducted on the causes of stink bug outbreaks in cotton and what is known about the roles that microbes play in causing crop damage from stink bug feeding.