To develop a program to train a future professional on agricultural entomology.
Two field seasons of studies on stink bugs (SB) affecting soybeans was completed in 2018-19 by Y. Gonzales. Student defended her thesis on 10/14/20 and currently is finishing her final writing. Studies included replicate plot studies at the REC-Princeton, scouting commercial farms, and evaluation of bucket sample as scouting method. KSPB funds were utilized to pay for student salary and expenses related to studies. For the 2019-2020 materials and funds for her research and tuition cost have been funded by other resources.
2. To compare current management strategies against stink bugs utilized by KY soybean growers.
In 2018, 4 commercial soybean fields located in 3 western KY counties, and in 2019, 4 fields located in 2 w. counties and 2 in central (Daviess and Hardin).Fields were scouted for SB (green stink bug, brown, red-shouldered), and brown marmorated SB. SB were evaluated using sweep nets and white 5-Gal. buckets. The 5-Gal. bucket was used in order to replace shake cloth, which does not consider the use of 15-inch row spaces. An economic threshold (ET) was used to determine if stink bugs reached levels where chemical intervention was needed. Hardin Co. was the only site to reach ET on 07/31/19. Results of this study shown that 5-Gal. buckets is an alternative that can be used instead of the shake cloth. Similar numbers of SB were collected using the buckets compare with sweep net. Green and brown SB were widely presented in all these locations. However, the BMSB were only found in Davies and Hardin in 2019.
3. To conduct replicate insecticide efficacy field tests for the management of stinkbugs
The insecticide lambda cyhalothrin was used within IPM program and calendar (spray every 15 days). Calendar sprays were compared to scouting and spraying as needed (following IPM thresholds). In 2018 and 2019 SB did not reach economic thresholds (1.2 stink bugs per 25 sweeps from bloom until R1 and 3.6 stink bugs per 25 sweeps from R4 to R6) in any of the treatments and no IPM sprays were conducted. In this 2-yr study no differences in yield were observed among treatments; insecticide applications do not increase yields; SB numbers were too low to cause economic losses. Results obtained here showed that in years with low pest densities, growers may reduce costs associated with insecticide applications as insecticide applications did not provide a positive effect on yields.
4. To evaluate the effects of insecticides on stink bugs or natural enemies on laboratory studies
Tests were not conducted due to the low abundance of stink bugs in the two years.
5. To transfer all information generated in this study to end users through the use of digital, printed and extension conferences.
· Gonzalez and Villanueva participated in several field days and professional events. Gonzalez is currently working in Texas. See attachments for more information
*ii. Statement of quantifiable progress toward project objective(s) achieved during this reporting period.
· Ms. Gonzalez needs to present her final thesis written submission before the end of the 2020 fall semester. At least one peer-reviewed publication will be obtained after thesis is submitted. · Villanueva and Gonzalez put an article title “Two-Season Study to Compare Preventive Insecticide Sprays for the Management of Stink Bugs in Soybean” in the Soybean Science Research Report 2019.
· Several extension articles are available in the Kentucky Pest News blog about stink bugs in soybeans:
§ Stink Bug Populations Surpassing Economic Thresholds in Soybeans in 2020 (https://kentuckypestnews.wordpress.com/2020/10/13/brown-marmorated-stink-bug-expected-to-invade-man-made-structures-in-western-kentucky-this-fall/)
§ Colonization of Western Kentucky by Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (https://kentuckypestnews.wordpress.com/2020/09/22/colonization-of-western-kentucky-by-brown-marmorated-stink-bug/)
§ Tachinid Flies Might Have Been Actively Working this Season in Kentucky (https://kentuckypestnews.wordpress.com/2019/10/01/tachinid-flies-might-have-been-actively-working-this-season-in-kentucky/)
§ Predatory Stink Bug Detected in Western Kentucky (https://kentuckypestnews.wordpress.com/2020/09/22/predatory-stink-bug-detected-in-western-kentucky/)
*iii. Activities planned between now and the next reporting period.
This is the final report
iv. Problems and/or obstacles that may impact the completion date, cost or scope of the project.
Ms. Gonzalez needs to present her final thesis submission before the end of the 2020 fall semester. At least one peer-reviewed publication will be published. This is the final report
List any obstacles, new developments or market/industry/research changes that impacted or may impact the completion date, cost or scope of the project.
v. Message, questions, comments or requests
If students are funded (2-yrs for Master or 3-yrs for PhD), funding should not be reduced after first year of initiation. In this case, Gonzalez funds were cut in half the second year, this amount only covered salary, this situation made her conditions perilous to finish her studies.