Effects of combining releases of non-viable host eggs with insecticide application on Riptortus pedestris population and its egg parasitoids

Our previous study demonstrated that the release of refrigerated non-viable eggs of Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) enhanced parasitism rates in soybean fields but did not result in the reduction of R. pedestris populations. This study was further conducted using an open-cage exclusion design in a soybean field in order to evaluate the compatibility of combining releases of non-viable host eggs with a single pre-harvest application of insecticide for the control of R. pedestris. Refrigerated eggs of R. pedestris were released twice in treatment plots, and fresh (< 1 day old) eggs of R. pedestris were deployed in all experimental arenas, every 6 days, for host resource and measurement of field parasitism. The releases of host eggs did not reduce the number of R. pedestris in any life stage except the adult stage on two sampling dates. However, parasitism by Gryon japonicum (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was higher in treated plots (9–25%) than in the control plots (1–9%). Statistical significant reduction was not found in the pest population, but parasitism rates significantly increased. Pesticide application did not reduce the bug population but did affect the parasitoids population. Pest management tactics, using both artificially deployed host eggs and insecticide, are discussed.

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► Release of host eggs and insecticide was studied in cage exclusion design in soybean.
► Release of refrigerated eggs can enhance field parasitism rate of R. pedestris.
► One-time application of insecticide had little effect on the density of R. pedestris.
► Application of insecticide caused significant reduction in parasitism.