Phytophagous stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) are occasional to chronic pests in all types of cropping systems, including annual crops such as grains, alfalfa, beans, and tomatoes, and perennial crops such as tree fruits and nuts. Damage is caused by both immatures and adults, but only adults are winged and capable of long-distance movement. Injury to young seeds, fruits, or nuts produces necrotic lesions and often results in premature abortion, while attacked leaves may wilt and die. Stink bugs are also known or implicated as vectors of plant pathogens such as yeast, fungi, and bacteria. Many stink bug species are polyphagous and the adults are highly mobile, which exacerbates problems with their monitoring and control. Bugs migrate into crops in response to natural events such as the senescence of native vegetation in the habitat, or in response to mowing or harvesting of nearby crops harboring large bug populations. Effective bug control hinges on the rapid detection of these invasions so that appropriate control measures can be implemented before serious crop damage occurs. However, sampling methods for most bug species are still relatively primitive, consisting mainly of sweep-net or beating tray sampling, or visual inspection of fruits for feeding damage or excrement. Monitoring methods based on pheromones or other attractants, have not yet been developed for the major pest bug species. We report here identification, synthesis, and bioassay results for five phytophagous pest species, Thyanta pallidovirens, Acrosternum hilare, Chlorochroa ligata, C. uhleri, and C. sayi. Pheromones produced by sexually mature male bugs were collected by aeration and identified by bioassay-driven fractionation, and reconstructed blends were optimized in both laboratory and field bioassays. Furthermore, the pheromone of T. pallidovirens also attracted a predatory wasp which specializes on stink bugs. Problems encountered during identification and bioassay of the pheromones, and ongoing research on the development of practical applications for the pheromones will be discussed.

Index terms: Thyanta pallidovirens, Acrosternum hilare, Chlorochroa ligata, Chlorochroa uhleri, Chlorochroa sayi, pheromone

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