Survey of rice stink bug natural enemies in Florida rice

Monday, November 14, 2022

11:54 AM – 12:06 PM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 215/216

Presenting Author(s)

Carolina Tieppo Camarozano

MS Student
University of Florida
Belle Glade, Florida

Co-Author(s)

Julien M. Beuzelin

Assistant Professor
University of Florida
Belle Glade, Florida
Matthew T. VanWeelden

Extension Faculty
University of Florida
Belle Glade, Florida
Hugh A. Smith

University of Florida
Wimauma, Florida

Two species of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), Oebalus insularis and Oebalus pugnax, are considered the main insect pests of rice in Florida. In the United States, O. pugnax infests rice throughout the southern region of the country whereas O. insularis is an invasive species only occurring in Florida. This study aimed to identify parasitoids of the two stink bug species and to quantify parasitism rates in conventional and organic fields in southern Florida. Commercial rice fields were sampled between summer and early fall of 2022. Sweep net sampling was used to collect stink bug adults, which were kept in the laboratory until death or emergence of adult parasitoids. Oebalus spp. sentinel eggs produced in the laboratory were deployed and subsequently kept in the laboratory for emergence of egg parasitoids. Results and implications for rice stink bug management in conventional and organic rice production in Florida will be discussed.