High Stink Bug Numbers Being Reported in Some Heading Wheat Fields

Calls are starting to come in about stink bugs in heading wheat. It is not uncommon to find numerous stink bugs in wheat after head emergence. Species attacking wheat are typically rice stink bug and brown stink bugs but greens can sometimes be found. While it may seem very alarming, keep in mind it takes extremely high numbers to cause economic damage to heading wheat. Research from the early 80’s showed that the milk stage of development is most susceptible to damage from stink bugs and can reduce grain weight and germination, but again, its takes incredible numbers.  Current stink bug thresholds for wheat are 1 stinkbug/5-10 heads in the milk and soft dough stage (No sweep net threshold). Once wheat reaches the hard dough stage the likelihood of damage from stink bug is diminished greatly. At this time the predominant stink bugs being found in Mississippi are rice stink bugs with a few browns mixed in. Likelihood of stink bugs hitting threshold is extremely low but not impossible. If they do, it will generally be confined to field borders and populations tend to be lower away from field edges. Because we do not generally treat wheat for stink bugs, wheat can actually harbor lots of stink bugs that will eventually move out into corn (some reports already in earliest planted corn). Be sure and scout adjacent corn fields closely for sting bugs and remember that rice stink bugs will not be a problem in the corn.

Rice Stink Bug

Brown Stink Bug