Low Incidence of Avian Predation on the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in Southeastern Orchard Systems

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are an insect pest that cause damage to pecan and peach fruits. In forests that surround fruit and tree nut orchards, insectivorous birds may consume stink bug pests, such as the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys). In this study, we mist-netted birds, collected avian fecal samples, and monitored brown marmorated stink bugs in forests that surround peach and pecan orchards in Georgia, USA. We used PCR to screen avian fecal samples for brown marmorated stink bug DNA, which is evidence of their consumption by birds. We found three bird species consumed brown marmorated stink bugs, including Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalisis), Tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), and Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). Overall, the number of avian fecal samples with brown marmorated stink bug DNA was low, which may be due to the short retention time of prey for birds. Future studies should explore whether birds contribute to the biological control of additional pecan and pecan insect pests. ABSTRACT: In many agroecosystems, brown marmorated stink bugs (Halyomorpha halys) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are polyphagous pests that cause significant economic losses to numerous crops every year. Insectivorous birds may provide a means of sustainable predation of invasive pests, such as H. halys. In forest margins surrounding peach, pecan, and interplanted peach–pecan orchards, we monitored H. halys populations with pheromone-baited traps, mist-netted birds, and collected avian fecal samples for molecular gut content analysis. We screened 257 fecal samples from 19 bird species for the presence of H. halys DNA to determine whether birds provide the biological control of this pest. Overall, we found evidence that four birds from three species consumed H. halys, including Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalisis), Tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), and Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). Halyomorpha halys captured in traps increased over time but did not vary by orchard type. Although incidence of predation was low, this may be an underestimate as a result of our current avian fecal sampling methodology. Because birds are members of the broader food web, future studies are needed to understand avian ecosystem services, especially in terms of pest control, including H. halys and other pest species.