Characterizing the stink bug community composition in the southeastern soybean production system

Stink bugs are hemipteran pests feeding on a wide variety of crops and non-crop plants. Stink bugs are becoming an increasingly important pest complex in soybean production systems. Stink bugs preferentially feed on developing pods or seeds causing reduced yield and quality such as delayed plant maturity and increased susceptibility to other damages. Stink bugs account for a substantial portion (32%) of insect management and yield loss nationwide, with North Carolina experiencing approximately 20% of these damages and associated management costs in 2022. Over the past several years, stink bug risks have been steadily increasing in North Carolina. This research aims to characterize the stink bug community compositions, particularly diversity and abundance across the state’s soybean-producing regions. A state-wide survey of soybeans was conducted for two years (2022-2023) in three physiographic regions of North Carolina: Mountains, Piedmonts and Coastal Plain. A standardized sweep sampling technique was used during the soybean reproductive stages. Results document the stink bug species diversity and abundance variation among the fields and three physiographic regions in the North Carolina soybean production system. Overall, this research offers valuable insight to guide extension efforts for region-specific pest management recommendations in the North Carolina soybean production system.