Update On Monitoring For Insecticide Resistance In Redbanded Stink Bug

DR. JEFFREY A. DAVIS, DR. DAWSON D. KERNS, AND DR. JAMES VILLEGAS

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA

Last year, in 2025, we piloted a program to proactively evaluate insecticide efficacy to acephate amongst redbanded stink bug populations throughout the state. Acephate is the most effective chemical currently available for stink bug control but, in the past, there have been reports of unsatisfactory control with low rates. To assess this, we provided “diagnostic dose kits” to agents and consultants to gauge current acephate control. The kits were designed to assess and report. If a population was found to be resistant, follow-up collections were made for further testing.

Contained in each kit were a set of instructions, 10 control vials, 10 test vials, a data slip, and gloves (Fig. 1). In brief, the objective was to collect a set of stink bugs using a sweep net, place a single adult in each tube, and evaluate if they were alive or dead after 4 hours. Results were marked on the data slip and then a picture of the results were texted to us. 

Lessons were learned from last year’s testing. First lesson, populations of redbanded stink bug within the state differ in their susceptibility to acephate (Fig. 2). We completed evaluations and saw a slight increase in tolerance to acephate. This did not indicate acephate failure but caution in using lower rates. The second lesson is that we need to assess early and often from cover crops and soybeans to prepare for later season applications. Thirdly, we need to expand our testing network. We need more samples from throughout the state, ideally in each parish. We need your help. Please consider participating in the program this year in 2026. If you would like a test kit, contact one of us via email or text. Thank you for your consideration.   ∆

DR. JEFFREY A. DAVIS, DR. DAWSON D. KERNS, AND DR. JAMES VILLEGAS

LSU AG CENTER