The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys Stål.) Influences Pungent and Non-Pungent Capsicum Cultivars’ Pre- and Post-Harvest Quality

Halyomorpha halys is an important invasive pest that causes severe damage to fruits and vegetables. Peppers are susceptible infestation by H. halys, resulting in yield losses. Plants respond the insect with a metabolic response. With this study, we attempted determine intensity of response infested peppers, how pungent non-pungent peppers react infestation, affects post-harvest quality both cultivars. The shelf life did not change compared control treatments. We observed drastic decrease metabolite levels after storage all three treatments cultivars, especially capsaicinoids, approximate 30% pericarp 95% placenta ‘Eris F1’. In some cases, accumulation metabolites was limited fruit exposed but entire plant. 15-fold increase capsaicinoid content cultivar F1’ 4-fold ‘Lombardo tago’, which could lead possible further study on defensive function capsaicinoids their use against halys.