First Record of Euschistus atrox (Westwood) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) on Soybean Fields in Brazil: Characterization, Reproductive Traits and Hybridization with Euschistus heros (Fabricius)

Abstract

Euschistus heros (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is Brazil's most significant soybean stink bug pest, with outbreaks well-documented across various regions. However, during a collection expedition in soybean crops in Amapá State, Euschistus atrox (Westwood) was identified as the predominant Euschistus species in these areas. In this study, we characterized E. atrox both morphologically and molecularly, comparing it with E. heros. A laboratory experiment was designed to compare reproductive traits between the two species, and test for interspecific crosses. Female E. atrox exhibited lower fecundity compared to E. heros. The most surprising finding was that intercrosses between E. heros and E. atrox resulted in fertile offspring. We highlight the implications of these findings for species evolution and pest management in this critical group of insect pests.

Keywords: Agriculture expansion; Edited by Roberto Romani; Emergent pest; Heteroptera; Hybridization; Neotropical brown stink bug.