Determining a treatment threshold for the green stink bug (Acrosternum hilare) in edamame soybeans

Wednesday, November 13, 2013: 4:30 PM
Meeting Room 16 B (Austin Convention Center)
Benjamin Thrash , Entomology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Gus Lorenz , Division of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, Dept. of Entomology, University of Arkansas, Lonoke, AR
Derek Clarkson , Entomology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Mallory Everett , Entomology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Luis Orellana , Entomology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Sean Flynn , Entomology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Edamame soybeans are an emerging crop in Arkansas and as with our customary soybeans the green stink bug is a major pest of this crop.  Due to edamame’s use as a food crop, as opposed to the soybean typically used in industry and animal feed, appearance of the pod and bean is a major factor in crop value.  As with any new crop, new economic thresholds must be determined for each production region.  Lumite cages (6ft x 6ft x 6ft) were placed over edamame soybeans and used to contain fourth instar green stinkbug nymphs at densities of 0, 2, 6, or 12 nymphs per cage and left to feed for 7 days.  Yields were taken from one row in each cage and evidence of feeding was confirmed by staining and counting salivary sheaths on 50 pods per cage using Bowling’s method.