The expanding impact of pentatomoid bugs: drivers, challenges, and innovations in Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Authors: PANIZZI, ANTONIO - Embrapa; MCPHERSON, JOHN - Southern Illinois University; BUNDY, CHARLES - New Mexico State University; Esquivel, Jesus; POZZEBON, ALBERTO - University Of Padua; MELE, ALBERTO - University Of Padua; SCACCINI, DAVIDE - University Of Padua; MUSOLIN, DMITRII - European And Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization(EPPO); KARPUN, NATALIA - All-Russian Institute For Plant Protection; NEIMOROVETS, VLADMIR - Zoological Institute; JAVAHERY, M. - Research Institute Of Mcgill University Health Centre; NUMATA, HIDEHARU - Kyoto University; SHINTANI, YOSHINORI - Kyushu University; LIM, UN TAEK - Andong National University; ZANG, LIAN-SHENG - Guizhou University; CHEN, YONG-MING - Guizhou University; MENSAH, ROBERT - Csiro, Australian Cotton Research Institute, Narrabri; MILES, MELINA - University Of Toowoomba; WALTER, GIMME - North Carolina Agricultural And Technical State University; JACKAI, LOUIS - North Carolina Agricultural And Technical State University; DINGHA, BEATRICE - North Carolina A&t State University; BUENO, ADENEY - Embrapa

Submitted to: Entomologia Generalis
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/17/2025
Publication Date: 3/11/2026
Citation: Panizzi, A.R., Mcpherson, J.E., Bundy, C.S., Esquivel, J.F., Pozzebon, A., Mele, A., Scaccini, D., Musolin, D.L., Karpun, N.N., Neimorovets, V.V., Javahery, M., Numata, H., Shintani, Y., Lim, U., Zang, L., Chen, Y., Mensah, R.K., Miles, M.M., Walter, G.H., Jackai, L.E., Dingha, B.N., Bueno, A.F. 2026. The expanding impact of pentatomoid bugs: drivers, challenges, and innovations in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Entomologia Generalis. https://doi.org/10.1127/entomologia/3800.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1127/entomologia/3800

Interpretive Summary: Stink bugs and related pest insect species occur worldwide in cotton and other high value cash crops, affecting yield through direct damage and transmission of disease pathogens. Insecticides continue to be the traditional control tactic but improved management strategies are required. The pest status of stink bug species throughout the world are discussed, including potential alternatives to insecticides as the primary pest management strategy. Alternatives include egg parasitoids and related natural enemies, plant-derived insecticides, and genetic manipulation of plants or insects to minimize damage to crops. Understanding the worldwide impact of stink bugs and integrating multiple control tactics for these pests balances economic and ecological viability, allowing for more sustainable management options.

Technical Abstract: Stink bugs (Pentatomidae) comprise one of the largest families within the suborder Heteroptera, with almost 5,000 species, among which hundreds are known to damage crops as either major or minor pests. For various reasons, the negative effects of stink bugs have recently grown worldwide. Among these effects, overuse of insecticides, increase in global temperatures, intensification of agriculture (“green-bridge”), international trades of agricultural goods, and movement of people globally should be noted. Although farmers continue to spray a range of traditional insecticides, the global negative side effects of their overuse demand better sustainable management. Among the appropriate tools available, biological control using egg parasitoids seems to be the most beneficial for further development. In addition, the adoption of semiochemicals, insecticides from botanical sources, genetic manipulations (e.g., RNAi and CRISP-Cas), and different biological control agents should be major components of stink bug management in the future, supported by monitoring and forecasting (e.g., adoption of trapping or satellite image analysis). This integrated approach will ensure efficient sustainable stink bug management that balances economic viability and ecological health.