Monitoring the brown marmorated stink bug (H. halys) with pyramid pheromone traps

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomporpha halys, Stål) is an invasive species that has caused extensive economic injury to various field crops throughout the Eastern United States. Since its introduction in Pennsylvania, H. halys has migrated as far as the Midwest. The purpose of this study was to monitor its emergence in agricultural fields in Indiana. Whalon modified tedder’s traps as well as modified ground pyramid pheromone traps were placed in 8 locations throughout the state in various fields. These agronomic crops included soybeans, tomatoes, peppers, grapes, and apples. Two trap colors were used to mimic their respective crop types to increase attraction. Yellow and black traps were used to represent the foliage of plants and to simulate tree trunks respectively. Traps were checked weekly from early June through mid-September. In addition, backlight traps were monitored daily in 8 sites throughout Indiana. No H. halys stink bugs were trapped in the field monitoring project throughout the duration of the study. Its presence has been documented in residential locations within 10 counties around the state. This demonstrates the importance in continuing agricultural field trap monitoring of H. halys. This will enable IPM specialists and growers to be best prepared when H. halys emerges to minimize impending economic effects.