Yellow-brown stink bug

The yellow-brown stink bug (Erthesina fullo) is a significant polyphagous pest belonging to the order Hemiptera and the family Pentatomidae. As an invasive species, it has gained attention for its ability to damage a wide variety of plant hosts, ranging from orchard trees to row crops. Adults typically reach 18–20 mm in length and exhibit a distinct, shield-shaped morphology with mottled brown and grey coloration.

This insect is known to attack a broad range of agricultural crops, including pome and stone fruits, various vegetables like tomatoes and peppers, as well as field crops like soybeans. Its wide host range makes it a persistent threat in many regions, as it can easily migrate between different food sources throughout the growing season. The pest's ability to feed on different plant parts, including fruits, leaves, and young shoots, poses a continuous challenge to crop health.

The biological cycle of Erthesina fullo follows a hemimetabolous development process, progressing through the egg stage, five nymphal instars, and adulthood. The overwintering phase occurs as adults in sheltered locations such as leaf litter, tree bark cracks, or man-made structures. Upon the arrival of favorable temperatures, the adults emerge to feed and begin the reproductive cycle, with females laying batches of eggs on the underside of leaves.

The damage caused by this stink bug is characterized by direct feeding on plant tissues. Using their piercing-sucking mouthparts, these insects inject digestive enzymes into the plant tissue, resulting in necrotic spots, fruit deformation, and stunted growth. In fruit crops, this often leads to significant quality loss, making the produce unmarketable. Furthermore, extensive feeding by large colonies can severely weaken plants, predisposing them to secondary fungal or bacterial pathogens.

Effective management and control of Erthesina fullo require an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach:

• Implementation of pheromone-based traps to monitor population density and time interventions.
• Regular inspection of crops to identify and manually remove egg clusters.
• Application of targeted insecticides during periods of high nymphal activity or adult emergence.
• Sanitation practices such as clearing debris and weeds that provide overwintering sites for the bugs.
• Encouraging the presence of natural biological control agents, such as egg parasitoids and generalist predators.