title: Host preference and suitability of grasses forOebalus pugnax.
abstract: The rice stink bug,Oebalus pugnax(Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae: Carpocorini), though graminaceous, discriminates among its numerous host grass species. This could represent a feeding preference, it could be related to host suitability for growth and development. To clarify the role of host grass discrimination, two laboratory studies were conducted: (1) free-choice tests to evaluate preferences ofO. pugnaxamong 11 wild host grass species found in three rice-producing counties of the central Mississippi Delta (MS, USA), and (2) no-choice tests to evaluate the impact of rice (Oryza sativaL.), junglerice [Echinochloa colona(L.) Link], and dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatumPoir.) (all Poaceae), on the development ofO. pugnaxfrom second instar to adult. In the free-choice test, four experiments were conducted, each with four sets of host grass species and observed 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h after release in cages. Approximately 4 h was necessary forO. pugnaxto settle on preferred host grasses.Oebalus pugnaxshowed a feeding preference for junglerice over all 10 other grass species. Bahiagrass,Paspalum notatumFlueggé, was the least preferred. The no-choice tests showed significant effect of host grass species onO. pugnaxmean development time of nymphal survival to adults. Survival of nymphs was lower and mean development time was longer on dallisgrass compared to rice and junglerice. Knowledge ofO. pugnaxrate of growth and development on host grasses could be useful in the future development of rice integrated pest management strategies.
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA ; Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
authors: Ga
authors: G
authors: Awuni
authors: Delta Research and Extension Center (DREC), Mississippi State University 82 Stoneville Road, Stoneville, MS, 38776, USA.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Gore
authors: Delta Research and Extension Center (DREC), Mississippi State University 82 Stoneville Road, Stoneville, MS, 38776, USA.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Cook
authors: Delta Research and Extension Center (DREC), Mississippi State University 82 Stoneville Road, Stoneville, MS, 38776, USA.
authors: Ja
authors: J
authors: Bond
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
authors: Fr
authors: F
authors: Musser
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
authors: Ca
authors: C
authors: Adams
keywords: Hemiptera; Oryza sativa; Pentatomidae; Poaceae; choice tests; development time; graminaceous; host grasses; integrated pest management; no-choice tests; relative preference; rice stink bug
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