Distracted by a plant: movement of two invasive pentatomids, Halyomorpha halys and Nezara viridula, between companion plants and berry crops.

BACKGROUND: The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys and the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula are key pests in fruit and vegetable production, including berry crops. Companion plants are increasingly used in diversified systems to divert or concentrate stink bugs. Yet, quantitative data on individual movement between main crops and companion vegetation in horticultural settings remain limited. RESULTS: In semi-field cages with identical layout, H. halys released on raspberries gradually shifted to bean and sunflower companion plantings over a 5-day observation period, with greater relative sunflower use in the sun-exposed cage than in the shaded cage. In a strawberry field with companion plantings, marked N. viridula showed limited release-habitat retention after 24 h. Among recaptured adults released in the strawberry plot, approximately 70% were found outside their release plot, demonstrating frequent short-distance relocation. CONCLUSION: Stink bugs rapidly move between berry crops and companion plantings under both semi-field and field conditions. Companion plants can therefore act as temporary traps but also as bridges for dispersal. Their performance as a management tool is therefore likely to depend on the phenological match between crop and companion species, local microclimate and insect life stage, highlighting the need for locally adapted companion plant strategies in berry production. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.