Integrated Pest Management of the Southern Green Stinkbug, Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), for Tomatoes in North Florida

The Southern Green Stinkbug, Nezara viridula is a serious insect pest of Tomatoes in north Florida. We evaluated three trap crops and three refuge crops to investigate their potential for IPM of N. viridula. The experimental trap crops and refuge crops were, striped sunflower (Helianthus annuus), WGF sorghum, (Sorghum bicolor) and brown top millet (Panicum ramosum) and sweet alyssum, Lobularia maritima (carpet of snow, royal carpet and tall white), respectively. Weekly samplings were based on visual counts of N. viridula adults and natural enemies. Among the three trap crops, stinkbugs recovered from S. bicolor exceeded the cumulative number of the other trap crops. L. maritima variety: carpet of snow had the highest number and more species of natural enemies. The trap crops used varied in attraction for N. viridula as S. bicolor attracted a high number of adults compared to the other trap crops. The number of N. viridula adults increased significantly in June 2014 and started to drop in the first week of August 2014. During this increase the crop was at inflorescence stage. Other hemipteran pests were also recorded on both S. bicolor and H. annuus. All varieties of L. maritima attracted natural enemies, however, carpet of snow was the most effective. In addition, approximately 80% of stinkbugs collected from S. bicolor were parasitized by Trichopoda pennipes, a natural enemy of Nezara nymph and adult stages. This study confirms the application potential of selected trap and refuge crops for IPM of N. viridula for tomatoes in north Florida.