Paper short abstract:

This paper follows one of the major soybean's pests, the brown stink bug, in relation with the expansion of Brazilian soybean cultivation, tracing its historical and ecological evolution, and its effects on pest management, agriculture, biodiversity, and ecosystem stability.

Paper long abstract:

In recent decades, Brazil has risen to become a global agricultural powerhouse, largely fueled by the exponential growth of soybeans’ production and consumption worldwide. However, this expansion has not occurred in isolation but rather in tandem with the dynamic ecological interactions between humans and non-humans. Threatening the quality and productivity of Brazilian soybeans, the brown stink bug (Euschistus heros) is one of the major pests of this agricultural frontier. Although they are also present in cotton and sunflower plantations, they are mostly known as “soybean's bugs” (“percevejo-da-soja”) in Brazil, as before the acceleration of Brazilian soy monoculture in the 1970s, this species was considered uncommon in the country. This paper will explore the intricate relationship between the brown stink bug (Euschistus heros) and soybean cultivation in Brazil, delving into the historical and ecological dimensions of this interaction, tracing its origins and subsequent transformations. In particular, the paper will discuss how the presence of this "pest" has led to a complex web of ecological changes, including alterations in pest management strategies, shifts in agricultural practices, and consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem stability.