The reported male-produced aggregation pheromone of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), identified as a mixture of (3S,6S,7R,10S)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol and (3R, 6S, 7R, 10S)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol, offers new opportunities for its management. We found that black pyramid traps deployed along crop borders in Maryland and West Virginia, containing lures with both stereoisomers of this reported aggregation pheromone combined with methyl (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate (MDT) lures, attracted more adult and nymphal H. halys than either the aggregation pheromone or MDT alone. In season-long totals, combined lures acted synergistically by catching 1.9-3.2 times more number of adults, and 1.4-2.5 times more number of nymphs, than expected from an additive effect of the lures deployed individually. There were no significant differences in patterns of male and female captures. MDT alone was not significantly attractive to adults during most of the growing season, but became increasingly attractive to adults and especially nymphs in autumn. Mixed-isomer lures containing eight stereoisomers of 10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol, including the two active stereoisomers, were as effective at catching adults and nymphs with or without MDT as were lures loaded only with the two active stereoisomers in the natural ratio ((3S, 6S, 7R, 10S)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol: (3R, 6S, 7R, 10S)-10,11-epoxy-1-bisabolen-3-ol) of 3.5:1. These results identify a combination of semiochemicals that is attractive season-long for detection, monitoring, and potential control of this polyphagous invasive pest of North America and Europe.

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Vector control has been the most effective preventive measure against malaria and other vector-borne diseases. However, due to concerns such as insecticide resistance and budget shortfalls, an integrated control approach will be required to ensure sustainable, long-term effectiveness. An integrated management strategy should entail some aspects of environmental management, relying on coordination between various scientific disciplines. Here, we review one such environmental control tactic: invasive alien plant management. This covers salient plant-mosquito interactions for both terrestrial and aquatic invasive plants and how these affect a vector’s ability to transmit malaria. Invasive plants tend to have longer flowering durations, more vigorous growth, and their spread can result in an increase in biomass, particularly in areas where previously little vegetation existed. Some invasive alien plants provide shelter or resting sites for adult mosquitoes and are also attractive nectar-producing hosts, enhancing their vectorial capacity. We conclude that these plants may increase malaria transmission rates in certain environments, though many questions still need to be answered, to determine how often this conclusion holds. However, in the case of aquatic invasive plants, available evidence suggests that the management of these plants would contribute to malaria control. We also examine and review the opportunities for large-scale invasive alien plant management, including options for biological control. Finally, we highlight the research priorities that must be addressed in order to ensure that integrated vector and invasive alien plant management operate in a synergistic fashion.

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