Survey of stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) egg parasitoids in soybean and corn in eastern Nebraska

Recent concerns about insecticide resistance and environmental health has created a need for biological control approaches to combat insect pests. Before starting a biological control program, it is vital to know what species of natural enemies are limiting the pest population. A survey of stink bug egg parasitoids were conducted in 2011 and 2012 (July through September) by collecting field egg masses and exposure of laboratory egg masses to the soybean (Glycine max L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) fields located in Clay Center, NE. The research objectives were to delineate species composition of parasitoids and rates of egg parasitism for a common stink bug species, Euschistus variolarius (Palisot de Beauvous) in eastern Nebraska in corn and soybean crops. This study provides preliminary information about natural enemies of stink bugs before developing biological control strategies.