Temperature and humidity influence brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), survival

High temperature events can influence insect population dynamics and could be especially important for predicting the potential spread and establishment of invasive insect pests. The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is an invasive agricultural pest in the US and Europe which causes serious economic damage to a wide range of crops. This insect’s range continues to expand. It has recently invaded the Central Valley of California which has a hotter and drier climate compared to the Eastern US where this insect is well established. We wanted to determine how high temperature events and relative humidity would impact the survival and reproduction of H. halys. Using incubators and humidity chambers, we investigated the impact of humidity and short-term (2-day) high temperature exposure on the survival and development of H. halys eggs, nymphs and adults. We found that high temperatures and humidity interact to influence H. halys survival. We also found that high temperatures significantly decreased H. halys reproduction.