Jakob Goldner

Date of Graduation

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Department

Wildlife and Fisheries Resources

Committee Chair

Yong Lak Park

Committee Co-Chair

Daniel Frank

Committee Member

James Kotcon

Abstract

An obstacle to efficient management of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is the lack of knowledge of its seasonal movements at the landscape level. H. halys is highly mobile and utilizes various commodities throughout the growing season and winter, making it difficult to manage. We hypothesized that H. halys displayed an annual spatial pattern at the farm scale and as they moved into overwintering habitats. To test for a spatial pattern at the farm scale, we conducted a two-year spatial study on three organic farms in West Virginia and New Jersey. A total of 92-127 sample locations throughout each farm were plotted using a global positioning system and were visually surveyed for H. halys nymphs and adults from May through November in 2012-2014. Count data were paired with geocoordinates to perform spatial analysis by distance indices (SADIE) to characterize spatial distribution patterns and spatial associations of H. halys with commodities. West Virginia populations displayed two peaks (late May - early June and mid-September), while the New Jersey population displayed only one (July). Crops bearing the largest numbers of H. halys included pears, apples, cherries, peaches, and berries. Results indicate H. halys was randomly distributed over the commodity types throughout the growing season. Significant spatial patterns consisted of gaps with relatively low populations covering much of the cropping areas, and patches with relatively high populations observed on trees, wild blackberry, corn, and peppers. Gaps often coincided with apparently suitable host-plants, such as tomatoes or peppers. Positive spatial associations between years suggests that areawide pest management could be used to control populations if patches are identified.;To test for a spatial pattern at overwintering sites, we surveyed a shopping center in Morgantown, West Virginia for two years to determine when and where H. halys was present in greatest numbers, as well as whether or not it is associated with a preferred surface aspect (northwest, northeast, southeast, or southwest), or surface type (wall or entryway). There was a relationship between numbers of H. halys and surface aspect ( P < 0.05), and significantly (P < 0.05) more insects were found on entryways. Count data were paired with geo-coordinates to perform spatial analysis by distance indices (SADIE) to characterize spatial distribution patterns and spatial associations of H. halys. Results indicate H. halys was randomly distributed over the site. No significant spatial patterns consisting of gaps with relatively low populations, or patches with relatively high populations were observed. Positive spatial associations between sample weeks across years suggests that these findings could be used to help create a pest management plan to control populations if patches are identified.

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