In the heart of Brazil’s soybean fields, a silent battle rages against the Neotropical brown stink bug (Euschistus heros), a pest that has become a formidable foe for farmers. This tiny insect is responsible for up to 60% of insecticide applications in soybean crops, a statistic that underscores the urgent need for sustainable and effective pest control strategies. A recent study published in ‘Semina: Ciências Agrárias’ offers a promising alternative: mass trapping using attractants and traps.
The research, led by Helen Cristina Paiva from the Universidade Estadual de Londrina, explored the use of different traps and attractants to control the Neotropical brown stink bug. Conducted over two soybean seasons in Sertanópolis and Londrina, the study found that both PET-type and spherical-type traps were equally effective in capturing the pests. The most attractive lure was a bovine urine-based compound, but a commercial attractant from Agribela® also showed promise, albeit with lower attractiveness.
“These traps can be an additional management tool for stink bugs, especially for small-scale and organic soybean farmers,” Paiva explained. The study suggests that traps should be installed before the stink bug population reaches the fields, ideally at the beginning of the soybean reproductive stage.
The commercial implications of this research are significant. For one, it offers farmers a more sustainable approach to pest control, reducing the need for chemical insecticides. This is not only better for the environment but also for the farmers’ bottom line, as chemical insecticides can be expensive and labor-intensive to apply.
Moreover, the use of traps and attractants can be easily integrated into existing farming practices, making it a practical solution for farmers looking to adopt more sustainable practices. The commercial attractant from Agribela®, although more expensive, is easier to acquire and use, providing a viable alternative when bovine urine is not available.
This research could shape future developments in the field of agritech, particularly in the area of integrated pest management. As the demand for sustainable and organic produce continues to grow, so too will the need for innovative and effective pest control strategies. Mass trapping, as demonstrated in this study, could be a key player in this evolving landscape.
In the words of Paiva, “This is just the beginning. There’s still much to explore and understand about the behavior of these pests and how we can use this knowledge to our advantage.” As we look to the future, the humble trap could very well be a game-changer in the fight against crop pests.