Evaluation of trap-based treatment thresholds for baited sticky cards to guide management of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in apple orchards

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), remains a serious pest of orchard crops, particularly apples in the Eastern United States. While a trap-based treatment threshold was developed for this pest previously, this decision support tool relied on adult captures using large black pyramid traps and experimental pheromone lures. With the availability of commercially produced pheromone lures and simpler trap designs (clear sticky panel traps deployed atop wooden posts), we evaluated experimental adult and nymphal thresholds using this system over 3 growing seasons (2017 to 2019). We found that a threshold of 4 adults/trap (cumulative) not only reduced insecticide applications by at least 40%, but also resulted in no significant differences in fruit injury at harvest compared with orchard blocks treated with a weekly insecticide application, though more field-level validation is warranted to ensure this IPM tool is adaptable for different scales of production and market channels and can be adopted by affected growers managing H. halys as part of their IPM programs.