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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Southeast Watershed Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #365267
Research Project: Ecology and Biologically-based Management Systems for Insect Pests in Agricultural Landscapes in the Southeastern Region

Location: Southeast Watershed Research

Title: The effects of relative humidity on Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) egg hatch, nymph survival and adult reproduction

Author
item KHADKA, ARJUN - University Of Florida
item HODGES, AMANDA - University Of Florida
item LEPPLA, NORMAN - University Of Florida
item Tillman, Patricia - Glynn

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/3/2019
Publication Date: 4/15/2020
Citation: Khadka, A., Hodges, A., Leppla, N., Tillman, P.G. 2020. The effects of relative humidity on Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) egg hatch, nymph survival and adult reproduction. Florida Entomologist. 103(1):136-138. https://doi.org/10.1653/024.103.0424.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1653/024.103.0424

Interpretive Summary: The invasive brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) has expanded into the Piedmont and Coastal Plains Regions of Georgia and Alabama. The effect of relative humidity (RH) on egg hatch, survival of nymphs, and adult reproduction of BMSB was evaluated to determine if ambient RH would prevent the pest from establishing in Florida. The experiment included five levels of relative humidity, 15%, 35%, 55%, 75%, and 90%. The three highest humidity levels were used to simulate the relative humidity of Florida. Relative humidity had no effect on survival of adults. Percent hatch of eggs was higher at 55%, 75%, and 90% RH than at 15 or 35%. Completion of the life cycle completion and egg lay were significantly higher at 55% than other relative humidity levels. Nymphs were more susceptible to lower and higher humidity than the adults. Clearly, BMSB could establish and proliferate within the range of RH in Florida.

Technical Abstract: The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha hapys has expanded into the Piedmont and Coastal Plains Regions of Georgia and Alabama. The effect of relative humidity (RH) on egg hatch, nymph survival, and adult reproduction of H. halys was evaluated to determine if ambient RH would prevent the pest from establishing in Florida. The experiment included five levels of relative humidity, 15%, 35%, 55%, 75%, and 90%. The three highest humidity levels were used to simulate the relative humidity of Florida. Relative humidity had no effect on adult male and female survival. Percent hatch of eggs was higher at 55%, 75%, and 90% RH than at 15 or 35%. Life cycle completion and oviposition were significantly higher at 55% than other relative humidity levels. Nymphs were more susceptible to lower and higher humidity than the adults. Clearly, H. halys could establish and proliferate within the range of RH in Florida.