Species composition and seasonal abundance of stink bugs heteroptera pentatomidae in southern florida usa rice
Jones, D.B.; Cherry, R.H.
Journal of Economic Entomology 79(5): 1226-1229
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-0493 Accession: 006454146
Stink bugs were sampled with sweep nets in eight southern Florida rice fields during 1983 and 1984. Four stink bug species were found; of these, Oebalus pungnax (F.), composed > 95% of the total population. Stink bugs were found continuously in rice fields from June through November. Population densities increased rapidly in rice fields at heading and were most abundant during the grain-filling period in both main and ratoon crops. Populations increased rapidly in fields because of adult migration and egg hatch. Populations of stink bugs greater than economic threshold levels were found in 50% of the main-crop and 100% of the ratoon-crop fields studied.