Antimicrobials: A stomach ache for both people and pentatomids

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, has become a severe agricultural pest and nuisance problem since its introduction in the U.S. Research is being conducted to understand its biology and to find management solutions. Results from previous studies have demonstrated that H. halys is heavily impacted by deprival of its gut symbionts. Given the economic status of this invasive pest, further investigations are being conducted to find management tactics that disrupt this close symbiotic relationship. Under laboratory conditions, the use of antimicrobial products on egg masses where the bacteria are deposited was shown to significantly lower the number of bugs that are able to successfully inoculate themselves. Further studies will determine whether these results are obtainable under field conditions.