Edge effect on the distribution of the Green Shield Bug Palomena prasina in hazelnut orchards, and the role of adjacent habitats in crop colonization

Abstract Palomena prasina (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), the green shield bug (GSB), is an important hazelnut pest in Southern Europe. Currently, its control focuses on insecticide spraying during the crop season. We hypothesised that, as for other pentatomid species, adjacent habitats strongly influence the population build-up in spring and, therefore, lead to edge effects in crop fields during the production season. This could allow for precision-targeted pest management strategies. This study examined the spatio-temporal dynamics of the GSB in spring and summer over two years. We investigated the plant preferences of GSBs in spring and the existence of edge effects on their distribution and on fruit damage in hazelnut orchards in summer. We also examined the relative contribution of adjacent habitats to GSB abundance in crops. Our results show that, following their emergence from overwintering in spring, GSB adults, and later on their offspring, are primarily found on wild host plants in natural habitats, particularly on Crataegus monogyna Jacquin, and Cornus sanguinea L.. In early summer, the older nymphs of the second generation colonise the hazelnut orchards, with populations and damage proportion displaying edge effects. We were unable to identify an adjacent habitat variable that significantly explains the abundance of GSB in the orchards, although both forest habitats and hazelnut orchards have an effect on GSB abundance. Based on these findings, we propose various IPM strategies for controlling P. prasina. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.