Intra- and Interspecific Variation in the Susceptibility to Insecticides of Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) That Attack Soybean and Maize in Southern Brazil

This study evaluated intra- and interspecific variation regarding the susceptibility to insecticides of key pentatomid pests of soybean (Glycine max L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) crops in Brazil. To perform bioassays, populations of Euschistus heros (F.), Diceraeus (=Dichelops) furcatus (F.), Nezara viridula (L.), and Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) were collected in soybean fields in Southern Brazil during the 2020/2021 crop season. Then, stink bugs were exposed to doses of commercial insecticides commonly applied for its control in dip-test bioassays using fresh green bean pods. In general, all stink bug species and populations studied were susceptible to acephate, acetamiprid + bifenthrin, imidacloprid + bifenthrin, and ethiprole, with mortality rates > 80%. Most populations of E. heros and D. furcatus, considered the main stink bugs that attack soybean and maize, respectively, presented low or intermediate susceptibility to acetamiprid + alpha-cypermethrin, zeta-cypermethrin + bifenthrin, dinotefuran + lambda-cyhalothrin, and bifenthrin + carbosulfan. Except for bifenthrin + carbosulfan (mortality < 57%), secondary stink bugs species that attack soybean (N. viridula and P. guildinii) showed pronounced susceptibility to all insecticides tested, with mortality rates > 70%. In summary, the populations of E. heros and D. furcatus showed diminished susceptibility to various insecticides formulated with the mixture of neonicotinoids + pyrethroids, whereas N. viridula and P. guildinii were most susceptible to the insecticides evaluated. The implications of these findings to integrated and resistance management programs are discussed.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the susceptibility to insecticides of key pentatomid pests of soybean and maize crops in Brazil. The results showed that different species and populations displayed varying levels of susceptibility to different insecticides. E. heros and D. furcatus populations demonstrated diminished susceptibility to insecticides formulated with neonicotinoids + pyrethroids, while N. viridula and P. guildinii were most susceptible to the tested insecticides.