Yield Reduction from Feeding by Euschistus servus and E. variolarius (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) on Stage V2 Field Corn

Abstract

Field studies conducted to investigate the effect of feeding of the brown stink bug, Euschistus serous (Say), and the onespotted stink bug, E. varlolarius (Palisotde Beauvois), on corn growth and yield showed that aside from plant mortality, the production of tillers was the most apparent injury. During the 2-yr study, 52.5% of the plants exposed to the brown stink bug and 38.8% of those exposed to the onespotted stink bug formed tillers. In general, mean extended leaf heights of tillered plants (distance from the soil surface to tip of tallest extended leaf) were significantly shorter than those of untillered plants exposed to stink bugs and controls. Stink bug feeding also resulted in delayed silking of tillered plants. Mean grain weight per ear from plants that formed tillers wasreduced significantly compared with controls, but yields from untillered plants were not. Effects of the two stink bug species were similar.