Seasonal abundance and biology of brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in Virginia vineyards

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is a significant pest of agricultural crops and fruits. It is native to east Asia, and was first introduced in the United States around 1996.  Within a few years of its invasion, it is well established in mid-Atlantic States and is spreading across US.  H. halys is highly polyphagous and damages many important crops including grapes. Literature on the biology and impact of H. halys in grapes is very scarce. Therefore, we did visual and beat sheet sampling in different commercial vineyards across Virginia in 2011 and 2012.  The distribution, border effect, seasonal abundance, number of generations, egg characteristics, oviposition site and hatching rate were studied.  The significant number of bugs was found in the vineyards in northern Virginia. Also, the late season movement of bugs from vineyards to other preferred host plants was observed. Grapes serve as an early season reproductive host. Spring adults emerging from overwintering sites start laying eggs from late May. Higher population densities were found in border rows. Based on degree day model, only one generation was found. The egg masses are generally laid underside of the leaves. The eggs are green in color, which gradually changes into white. The egg hatchability of 83.34 % was observed in field condition. All the growth developmental stages of H. halys  were found in grapevines. Therefore, grapes are suitable feeding and reproductive hosts of H. halys.