Survey of the invasive rice stem stink bug Tibraca limbativentris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Oebalus spp. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in rice fields in the Dominican Republic

The primary aim of this project was to make risk assessments and contingency plans for potential alien invasive stink bug species that could be introduced into the rice growing areas of the U.S.A.  The rice stalk stink bug Tibraca limbativentris (Hemiptera:  Pentatomidae) was introduced into the Dominican Republic. Unlike Oebalus spp which effect individual seeds, T. limbativentris feed on plants causing complete panicle loss during harvest affecting yield. While stink bugs are reported of agricultural significance in South America, few data are available on the economic importance and damage functions of T. limbativentris in rice. Growers in South America typically control it with various insecticides. In the past 20 years, two invasive stink bug pests of rice have been introduced into the U.S.  Oebalus ypsilongriseus was reported in Florida in 1994; O. insularis was first reported in Florida in 2006.  So far, O. ypsilongriseus and O. insularis do not occur in the rest of U.S. rice growing areas.  Oebalus species feed on the developing grains reducing yield and quality.  With the exception of a vector of a disease causing organism, T. limbativentris could be one of the worst insect pests in U.S. rice fields.  U.S. rice growers don’t normally monitor for O. pugnax before rice heading.  The introduction of this insect would necessitate a change in sampling periods due to T. limbativentis feeding at the base of the plants in the vegetative stage. Four rice fields in six provinces were surveyed for stinks bugs.