Efficacy and non-lethal effects of clothianidin for the management of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in cotton

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to assess the efficacy of selected insecticides for managing stink bugs in cotton. Bioassays on treated leaves demonstrated that bifenthrin provided the fastest time to knockdown and the minimum amount of time spent feeding following exposure. In comparison, dicrotophos was slower acting than bifenthrin but significantly faster than clothianidin. Direct application bioassays showed that all stink bug species were highly susceptible to dicrotophos and individuals never recovered. Results from cage studies showed that there was no repellency or residual activity remaining 7 days after treatment. Results from field studies indicated that stink bug damage was highly variable and was generally less when treated with dicrotophos, bifenthrin, or a reduced rate tankmix of clothianidin and bifenthrin. These results strongly suggest that dicrotophos applications are necessary for management of E. servus, but any of the other products tested provide acceptable control of remaining species.