Chemical ecology and population dynamics of rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax in and around rice plantings

Rice stink bug (RSB), Oebalus pugnax F., is an important pest of heading rice in the United States. RSB feeding induced volatile production in different RSB host grasses and rice varieties and may help explain RSB movement to heading rice. Limonene and MeSA were found in varying amounts from panicles of host grasses and rice. RSB feeding induced caryophyllene production from panicles of only rice and vaseygrass. Limonene was produced in higher amounts in the RSB resistant rice cultivar 'Kaybonnet' than in more susceptible 'Cocodrie' and 'Bengal'. Sweep net samples of grassy margins around rice fields that had a more diverse vegetation habitat that included RSB host grasses also had significantly higher sweep net counts of RSB. I discuss the need to assess effects of limonene and methyl salicylate on development of RSB, note levels of these volatiles in rice varieties and better manage RSB in wheat fields and other grass hosts near rice fields.; Keywords. Votatiles, sweeping, limonene, habitat.