Preliminary data on the biology of brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) in Georgia

Abstract

During the 2017 season we investigated the occurrence and biology of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorphahalys, a new invasive insect pest in two commercial hazelnut orchards located in the Samegrelo Region, Republic of Georgia. The firststink bug adults from the overwintering generation appeared on sticky traps at the end of May, while all instar nymphs and adultswere observed at the end of July and through August. The peak occurrence of adults and nymphs in the field was observed at 896–1061 DD13.9. The wooded areas around orchards supported the development of two BMSB generations. The forested areas and wildvegetation provided the source of continuous influx of the pest into the orchards, while the BMSB influx from a neighboring meadowand abandoned buildings was less important.