Stink bug management presents challenges for producers

摘要

I would like to refer back to an excellent article by Monte Nesbitt in last month's Pecan South, Southeastern Shakings, Page 6, where he talks about the difficulty in producing pecans during August. This not only applies to the horticultural challenges in filling out kernels but this is also a time when producers have to start paying attention to three very important nut pests — shuckworm, pecan weevil and stink bug — and one foliage pest —black pecan aphid. Of the three major late season nut pests, I feel that the stink bug/ leaffooted bug complex is the most difficult and challenging to understand and control for several reasons. Control difficulties are centered on that there are no treatment thresholds, the difficulty in scouting large trees,and target pests are strong fliers so management of this group will take some detective work.