Establishing an insecticide susceptibility baseline for rice stink bugs in Florida

The rice sting bugs Oebalus insularis and Oebalus pugnax (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are major insect pests of rice in Florida. In the continental U.S., whereas O. insularis is only found in Florida, O. pugnax is widespread throughout the main rice producing states in the southern region of the country. Insecticide resistance development in rice stink bug populations is an increasing concern in the Mid-south; however, susceptibility baselines for Florida populations remain undetermined. This first-year study initiated the comprehensive evaluation of rice stink bug populations in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) for insecticide susceptibility within and between rice growing seasons. Levels of susceptibility to a commonly used pyrethroid were assessed using a research spray booth. Data from the 2025 season evaluation will be presented and compared to past insecticide susceptibility studies. Findings will contribute to establishing a baseline for rice stink bug management in Florida and potentially provide initial insights on changes in insecticide susceptibility.