Comparing capture rate of pheromone traps to monitor stink bug populations in soybeans

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are important pests in the southern US and are challenging to control in many crops. Stink bugs caused $356 million in soybean costs and losses across 18 US states in 2022. Information on indirect monitoring systems could support current field-based direct scouting techniques. Our research goals were to determine the most precise and accurate pheromone monitoring trap for stink bugs in soybeans and to determine if different traps capture different species of stink bugs in soybeans. Using field as a replication, we placed seven (delta, black pyramid, yellow pyramid, and blue, clear, yellow, and white sticky cards) stink bug pheromone traps in 34 soybean fields from August to December 2023. We used two different types of pheromone lures, one for the brown marmorated and green stink bug complex, and one for only brown stink bug. Every two weeks we checked the traps and counted the total number of stink bugs; we also identified stink bug species and replaced the pheromone lure or trap if needed. In addition, we conducted biweekly scouting with 100 sweeps positioned in the field at 15-row intervals from the traps. We recorded the total number of stink bugs from these sweeps and did a correlation analysis comparing trap and field captures. Stink bug species and number varied depending on the pheromone lure and trap. This research will benefit soybean producers and consultants across the Southeastern by evaluating the precision and accuracy of pheromone traps as monitoring tools for stink bugs.