Behavioral Control of Plautia stali（Hemiptera: Pentatomidae）Using Vibrations, and Its Application in Pest Management

Abstract

Plautia stali Scott(Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)is widely distributed in Japan. Plautia stali damages fruit trees, and the primary control method is to spray insecticides based on monitoring and predicting the abundance of P. stali. Plautia stali overwinters and develops in coniferous trees and then flies to orchards. In this study, we aimed to disrupt the behavior of P. stali using artificial vibrations. We examined the behavior of P. stali exposed to different frequencies and accelerations of vibrations under laboratory conditions. Several responses were observed, such as freezing, squatting with bending all legs, and walking. Notably, the responses to vibrations at 150 and 500 Hz were induced by low accelerations. Next, we attached an electromagnetic shaker to the base of a citrus tree and observed the responses of P. stali. The responses were similar to those in the laboratory test. Moreover, when several citrus seedlings were branched via jigs and vibrated simultaneously, adults also responded to the vibrations. In order to develop optimal methods for vibrational application, further studies on the control of the feeding behavior of P. stali and the effects of substrate-borne vibrations on fruit trees are required.