ABSTRACT

Because stink bugs are challenging to detect in cotton with traditional sampling tools, we continued investigations of other methods of monitoring the pest complex for management decisions. Pheromone trapping of stink bugs was useful in following in-field populations of stink bugs, but the reduced availability and increased expense of currently available lures and unavailability of lures for other important species continue to hinder research into the potential of pheromone trapping. Research with treatment thresholds for stink bugs, based on monitoring internal feeding injury to bolls, supported treatment at 20% injury to mid-sized (ca. 14-d-old) bolls. In laboratory bioassays concerning insecticide efficacy, methyl parathion (Methyl 4E) and dicrotophos (Bidrin 8), standard organophosphates used for control of bug pests, provided superior control (97-100% mortality) of field-collected fifth instars and adults of the green stink bug (GSB), Acrosternum hilare (Say) and the southern green stink bug (SGSB), Nezara viridula (L.) at 0.5 lb (AI)/A. The 1.0 lb rate of methyl parathion provided 100% 24-hr mortality of both species but was only slightly better than the 0.5 lb rate and at twice the expense. A reduced rate (0.33 lb [AI]/A) of Bidrin provided excellent control of GSB but provided reduced control (83%) of adults and nymphs of SGSB. Pyrethroid insecticides alone provided variable results (50-100% 24-hr mortality). Results from studies addressing simulated mechanical injury to bolls, terminals, and squares suggested that losses from bug feeding injury to young cotton and to small-to-medium-sized bolls could be significant under certain circumstances.