Seasonal Dynamics and Damage of Halyomorpha halys in Italian Vineyards

Simple Summary: The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (St & aring;l) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive pest commonly found in vineyards. This study aimed to investigate the seasonal patterns and distribution of H. halys in vineyards with multiple grape cultivars. We also assessed the damage caused by different levels of pest infestation on grape clusters. Our findings revealed that H. halys populations varied throughout the seasons and were higher on red berry cultivars, such as Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and those ripening later in the season. Additionally, we observed higher pest infestations at the vineyard borders compared to their centers. The study showed that H. halys infestations led to damage to grape berries, with varying susceptibility among different cultivars and phenological stages. Furthermore, the presence of H. halys increased the incidence on clusters of Botrytis cinerea and sour rot, highlighting its significant impact on grapevine health. The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (St & aring;l) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive polyphagous pest often observed in vineyards. In Europe, a gap needs to be filled in the knowledge on H. halys seasonal dynamics and damage on grapes. With this study, we described the seasonal dynamics of H. halys and its distribution in multi-cultivar vineyards, and we evaluated the damage on grape clusters induced by different pest densities. In vineyards, the seasonal occurrence of H. halys varied across time and grape cultivars, and the pest was more abundant on Cabernet Franc, Merlot and, to a lesser extent, Pinot gris. Moreover, higher densities of H. halys were found on red berry cultivars than on white ones, and on cultivars ripening late in the season. An edge effect was also detected in pest distribution within vineyards, with more stink bugs observed in the borders. In the study on pest infestation density, H. halys caused damage on berries, showing differences in susceptibility among different cultivars and with regard to the time of infestation (i.e., plant phenological stages). Halyomorpha halys infestation induced an increase in Botrytis cinerea and sour rot incidence, which probably represents the main issue related to the impact of brown marmorated stink bug on grapevine.