Quantitative and qualitative damage of Euschistus heros (F.) to sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds were evaluated in the field, at Embrapa Soja, in Londrina, PR. Cages (2.0 x 2.0 x 1.5m) were installed and covered with a nylon net containing 10 plants/cage of cv. Embrapa 122-V2000. The plants were infested with 2, 4 or 8 adults of E. heros/plant, in the following periods: R3 stage (second stage of blooming with bud lenghtening) to harvest; R6 stage (final blooming) to harvest; and R9 stage (seeds physiologically mature) to harvest. Test cages were kept without insects. Yield (kg), weight of 1000 seeds (g), and seed germination (%) were reduced significantly with infestations of 8 bugs/plant during R3 to harvest. Percentage of protein on seeds was higher, in relation to other seed components, with this same level of bug infestation and at the same plant phenological stage. However, these differences were not observed with 2 or 4 bugs/plant either at R6-harvest or R9-harvest infestation periods.
Insecta; Heteroptera; stink bug; Helianthus annuus
