Phenology and potential biological control of the stink-bug Atelocera raptoria Germar (Hemiptera : Pentatomidae) in pistachio orchards

The stink-bug, Atelocera raptorial/Ig Germar (Hemiptera : Pentatomidae), is a major pest of pistachio in South Africa. The abundance and phenology of this species was studied over a period of 21 months in three pistachio orchards, GVN 1, GVN 19 and REM, in the Prieska district of South Africa. Numbers were highest in GVN 19 ( n = 217), followed by GVN 1 ( n = 110) and REM ( n = 45).A direct relationship was evident between abundance of A. raptoria and the proportion of the Sirora pistachio cultivar in each orchard, indicating a preference for this cultivar. Populations of A. raptorial/Ig peaked in summer (February/March), but population composition varied considerably between orchards. Egg parasitism by the egg parasitoid, Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) (Hymenoptera : Scelionidae), appears to be a promising biological control option.