Quantify damage of redbanded stink bug (Piezodorus guildinii) to soybeans and plant response to this damage

The redbanded stink bug, Piezodorus guildinii, is a serious phytophagous pentatomid attacking soybeans from Argentina north to the southern United States. Much information is available about its impact on soybeans in Brazil, but little is known about its biology, damage potential, ecology and management in the United States where it’s a relatively new pest. Research has been recently initiated at the Beaumont Center with objectives to quantify damage of redbanded stink bug to soybeans and determine if a substance(s) or agent(s) associated with feeding is translocated through the plant to cause flat pod syndrome and/or delayed maturity. These disorders are devastating to yield and seed quality and have been associated with redbanded stink bug infestations. Soybean plants at different reproductive stages (R3, R4, R5 and R6) will be infested with varying densities of redbanded stink bugs (0,1, 2 adults per plant). Response of plants in terms of damage, photosynthesis, yield and seed quality will be measured. Stink bugs will be confined with the plants by using specially designed cages mimicking natural conditions. Stink bugs also will be confined to certain portions of the plants (bottom, top, and both) using additional cages isolating these portions of the plants to see if a substance or agent associated with redbanded stink bug feeding is translocated through plant.