Abundance of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) in Soybean in Areas with Few Previous Sightings in Tennessee

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Invasive pests tend to move gradually to new areas from the initial location at which they were established or identified. Halyomorpha halys (Stål) and Megacopta cribraria (Fabricius) are two exotic invasive pests currently in the United States. Halyomorpha halys can damage various field crops such as soybean and corn and many species of fruits and vegetables, while M. cribraria attacks only soybean and the weed species kudzu. Halyomorpha halys and M. cribraria are a serious threat to soybeans, one of the major crops grown in Tennessee and in other southeastern states in the US. This research was focused on determining the establishment and seasonal abundances of H. halys and M. cribraria in soybeans in the central region of Tennessee in areas with few or no previous sightings of the two pests at the time of planning this study. Our results showed that both the H. halys and M. cribraria were established in the study locations, and the H. halys could become a serious pest during the pod-filling stage in September. The importance of monitoring these invasive pests in new areas with susceptible host plants to find their spread, establishment, and abundance is discussed. ABSTRACT: Halyomorpha halys (Stål) and Megacopta cribraria (Fabricius) are two exotic invasive pests that have invaded the United States in recent years. Halyomorpha halys can damage various fruits, vegetables, and field crops, such as soybean and corn, while Megacopta cribraria only attacks soybean and kudzu, a weed species. They are currently found in southeastern states and threaten soybean and other crops grown in the region. This study evaluated the seasonal abundance of H. halys and M. cribraria in soybeans in 2016 and 2017 in two counties in the central region of Tennessee, where both species had either a few sightings or none that were recorded when this research was being planned. Lures and sweep sampling were used to monitor H. halys, and sweep sampling was used to monitor M. cribraria. Halyomorpha halys was first detected in samples in late July. Their numbers increased in early to mid-September, reached the economic threshold in late Sept, and then started to decline. Megacopta cribraria was first detected in mid to late July, increased their populations in September, but did not reach the economic threshold and declined mid-October. Our results showed the seasonal abundances of H. halys and M. cribraria and their establishment in the central region of Tennessee.