Generalist predator behavior in response to olfactory cues of an invasive pest, brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys)

First identified in Allentown, PA in 1996, the invasive brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) today is confirmed in 41 states and ranges from agricultural to nuisance pest.  It often attacks vegetable crops, with those bordering wooded areas at the highest risk.  These particular areas are usually abundant with natural enemies, including spiders (Araneae).

While spiders have been observed consuming H. halys at all life stages, biocontrol efforts have focused on other natural enemies and parasitoids.  However, biological control is often most effective when utilizing multiple predator species as part of a complex of natural enemies.  Due to the overlap in habitat for H. halys and several spider species, identifying the magnitude of spider’s impact in population suppression is useful.

The current study serves as an extension of a field cage study completed in 2014, investigating the likelihood of superfluous killing and its impact on biological control of H. halys by the striped lynx spider, Oxyopes salticus.  This study, while detection of consumption through molecular gut-content analyses was not found, dead stink bugs were recovered, leading to the conclusion of lethal non-consumptive predator effects.  The current study sought to understand the predator-prey interactions in this system using more careful observations.  Consumptive and non-consumptive effects of spider on stink bug were investigated via lab and greenhouse experiments. Predation only occurred on the nymph stink bugs, and no obvious non-consumptive effects were evident.  This suggests lynx spider may not be a useful natural enemy for population suppression of this invasive pest.