Halyomorpha halys Stål, (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae) feeding effects on some agricultural fruits in Georgia

Authors: MANANA KERESELIDZE, DANIELA PILARSKA, NIKA GUNTADZE, ANDREAS LINDE

Abstract: Feeding effects of the invasive, polyphagous brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae), on some agricultural fruits (hazelnut, blueberry, mandarin, lemon) were investigated in Guria and Samegrelo regions of Georgia in 2019 and 2020. The damage to hazelnut kernels was evaluated when H. halys adults were allowed to feed on kernels in different stages of development. Furthermore, BMSB adults were allowed to feed on almost ripened fruits of blueberry, on small mandarin fruits which were not yet well developed, and on ripened fruits of mandarin. The evaluation of damage on lemon was recorded after allowing adult BMSB on small, not yet developed fruits and on almost developed fruits. It was shown that hazelnuts are susceptible to damage caused by feeding of BMSB throughout the entire period of kernel development (100% of kernels were damaged and did not develop at all). Furthermore, BMSB damages blueberry severely (100% damage) when the fruits are almost ripened. Damage to mandarin fruits in early development stages was over 90%, and 100% of ripened mandarin fruits dropped to the ground. We did not find any damage when BMSB was allowed to feed on Lemon throughout the development of the fruits.

Keywords: Halyomorpha halys, hazelnut, blueberry, mandarin, lemon, damage

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