Stink Bugs in Cotton and Estimation of Damage Caused by Their Feeding on Fruiting Structures

S.H. Roach


 
ABSTRACT

Whole plant studies were conducted to characterize damage to cotton fruiting structures by adult green stink bugs (Acrosternum hilare (Say)), and brown stink bugs (Euschistus servus (Say)). Plants were individually caged and infested with 0, 1, or 2 stink bugs for a continuous period of approximately two months during the cotton fruiting period. Observations were made on the number of shed fruiting structures and the number of harvestable bolls and locks of cotton remaining on the plants at the time of harvest. Weather factors, such as drought conditions and excessive rainfall during boll opening, obscured the effects of stink bug feeding. Number of fruiting structures shed was not correlated with the presence of stink bugs, but the number of harvestable cotton locks remaining on the plant was reduced when stink bugs were kept on the plants.



Reprinted from 1988 Proceedings: Beltwide Cotton Production Research Conferences pp. 292 - 294
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Sunday, Dec 6 1998