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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Maricopa, Arizona » U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center » Pest Management and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #419151
Research Project: Sustainable Pest Management for Arid-Land Agroecosystems

Location: Pest Management and Biocontrol Research

Title: Screening of insecticides for management of the invasive Oxycarenus hyalinipennis Costa (Hemiptera: Oxycarenidae) population sourced from urban southern California

Author
item Zilnik, Gabriel
item Hepler, James
item Merten, Paul
item SCHUTZE, INANA - Non ARS Employee
item HODDLE, CHRISTINA - University Of California, Riverside
item HODDLE, MARK - University Of California, Riverside
item ELLSWORTH, PETER - University Of Arizona
item Brent, Colin

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/13/2025
Publication Date: 2/4/2025
Citation: Zilnik, G.L., Hepler, J.R., Merten, P., Schutze, I.X., Hoddle, C.D., Hoddle, M.S., Ellsworth, P.C., Brent, C.S. 2025. Screening of insecticides for management of the invasive Oxycarenus hyalinipennis Costa (Hemiptera: Oxycarenidae) population sourced from urban southern California. Journal of Economic Entomology. 118(2):692-699. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaf014.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaf014

Interpretive Summary: Researchers from the USDA-ARS in Maricopa, AZ, University of California, Riverside and University of Arizona conducted experiments to find compounds that would work against the invasive cotton seed bug. These experiments were conducted in the lab and they identified several compounds that killed cotton seed bug at high concentrations. The researchers followed up with a trial testing several concentrations of several selective compounds, chosen because they are less deadly to beneficial predacious insects. The researchers found six compounds that work well against cotton seed bug and would preserve predators in cotton. This study is a first step in managing cotton seed bug if it finds its way into US cotton fields.

Technical Abstract: Cotton seed bug, Oxycarenus hyalinipennis (Hemiptera: Oxycarenidae), was discovered in southern California in 2019. Surveys have found it within 160 km of cotton producing areas. While often only a minor pest in its native range, there are justified concerns that O. hyalinipennis could become a major pest of U.S.-grown cotton. To proactively prepare for this possibility, twelve U.S.-registered formulations and one experimental formulation were assessed in the laboratory for efficacy against O. hyalinipennis, using both contact and ingestion bioassays. Six formulations, consisting of acephate, dinotefuran, flupyradifurone, and imidacloprid with initial efficacy against O. hyalinipennis were used for subsequent dose-response bioassays. These compounds had LC50 values well below maximum labeled rates, although LC99.9 values often exceeded maximum label rates. Results indicate that if O. hyalinipennis infests cotton production regions, both selective and broad-spectrum options will be available for management. These findings establish a baseline for developing an integrated pest management program that can reduce potential damage from O. hyalinipennis, preserve natural enemies, and contribute to resistance management in cotton production areas.