Grower assessment of profitability impact from Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), the value of management information sources, and use of potential management practices

Abstract

An online survey was conducted from June 2018 to March 2021 to elicit information from commercial farmers and growers on the economic impact of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) (Halyomorpha halys (Stål)) on agriculture and their attitudes towards adopting various alternative management practices, including use of Trissolcus japonicus as a biocontrol agent. Most respondents reported that BMSB reduced the profitability of their operation, with the largest impacts coming from reduced quality and increased spray cost. Improved monitoring techniques and natural enemies have the greatest probability to be used to manage BMSB, while tactics like attract and kill, border sprays, repellents, trap crops and netting were less likely to be adopted. Further analysis using ordered logistic and tobit regression models shows that the factors that influence potential adoption vary significantly for each management practice. This suggests that adoption efforts for alternate management practices should focus on the attributes of specific commodity groups and targeted educational programmes may be required to overcome the resistance of growers using conventional growing practices. Several variables have a consistent impact on the respondent's willingness to pay for a T. japonicus-based biocontrol including being a commercial producer (positive impact), use of conventional growing practices (negative) and increased concern about the impact of BMSB (positive).