Host preference and suitability of grasses for Oebalus pugnax. Issue 2 (5th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Awuni, G.A.; Gore, J.; Cook, D.; Bond, J.A.; Musser, F.R.; Adams, C.A.
• Is Part Of: Entomologia experimentalis et applicata. Volume 152:Issue 2(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 127
• Page End: 134
• Publication Date: 2014-07-05
• Subjects: Entomology -- Periodicals; 595.7
• DOI: 10.1111/eea.12208
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-8703

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="eea12208-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The rice stink bug, <italic>Oebalus pugnax</italic> (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Carpocorini), though graminaceous, discriminates among its numerous host grass species. This could represent a feeding preference, it could be related to host suitability for growth and development. To clarify the role of host grass discrimination, two laboratory studies were conducted: (1) free‐choice tests to evaluate preferences of <italic>O. pugnax</italic> among 11 wild host grass species found in three rice‐producing counties of the central Mississippi Delta (MS, USA), and (2) no‐choice tests to evaluate the impact of rice (<italic>Oryza sativa </italic>L.), junglerice [<italic>Echinochloa colona</italic> (L.) Link], and dallisgrass (<italic>Paspalum dilatatum </italic>Poir.) (all Poaceae), on the development of <italic>O. pugnax</italic> from second instar to adult. In the free‐choice test, four experiments were conducted, each with four sets of host grass species and observed 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h after release in cages. Approximately 4 h was necessary for <italic>O. pugnax</italic> to settle on preferred host grasses. <italic>Oebalus pugnax</italic> showed a feeding preference for junglerice over all 10 other grass species. Bahiagrass, <italic>Paspalum notatum </italic>Flueggé, was the least preferred. The no‐choice tests showed significant effect of host grass species on <italic>O. pugnax</italic> mean development time of nymphal survival to adults. Survival of nymphs was lower and mean development time was longer on dallisgrass compared to rice and junglerice. Knowledge of <italic>O. pugnax</italic> rate of growth and development on host grasses could be useful in the future development of rice integrated pest management strategies.</p> </abstract>