| Summary: | The polyphagous brown marmorated stink bug (<i>Halyomorpha halys</i> Stål.) is an important pest in many countries. Recently it was noticed that it can feed on and cause damage to strawberries (<i>Fragaria</i> × <i>ananassa</i> Duch.). The metabolic response of strawberries to brown marmorated stink bug attacks was studied. Brown marmorated stink bugs attacked strawberry fruit which had 18% lower total sugar content compared to that of the control treatment. However, organic acid content had no significant difference among the three treatments, with the exception of shikimic acid, which had the highest content in the attacked fruit. Thirty-one phenolic compounds were identified. Results showed a strong effect on secondary metabolites due to <i>H. halys</i> attacks. <i>Halyomorpha halys</i> treatment had 27% higher total analyzed phenolic content compared to the indirect <i>Halyomorpha halys</i> treatment. The brown marmorated stink bug significantly increased total ellagic acid derivatives (33.1% to 37% higher), hydroxycinnamic acids (22.3% higher) and anthocyanins’ (39% higher) contents. Fruit attacked by <i>Halyomorpha halys</i> also had higher catechin and epicatechin content than that of the control treatments. This pest had a significant influence on the plant’s secondary metabolism, and this improved our understanding of how a strawberry plant reacts to the attacks of this very important pest. <i>H. halys</i>-infested fruit are not suitable for commercial production, due to the production of off-flavors.
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