A Review of the Arrival, Effects, and Management of Bagrada hilaris in South America: The Case of Chile

Abstract

Biological invasions are partly defined by their ability to spread rapidly within invaded regions, posing threats to biodiversity and local species assemblages. The painted bug, Bagrada hilaris (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) (Burmeister, 1835), originally described as being from India, is an important pest worldwide, mainly due to the serious economic losses incurred and the large number of zones invaded. Since its initial detection in Chile in 2016, the invasive and destructive paint bug has started its invasion to the east and invaded new areas in South America. Without adequate control methods, the insect may threaten brassica crop production, resulting in yield losses greater than 70% in recently infested areas. The extraordinarily wide range of the B. hilaris invasion has necessitated studies describing its biology and ecology, as well as highlighting the urgent need for effective and long-term management techniques. Hence, thoroughly revising the data on this pest in new areas that have been invaded, as well as in the area of origin, is expected to enable the development of management programs. This review incorporates information on B. hilaris in South America, including the invasion, ecology, and potential management approaches, which may allow for efficient integrated pest management, mainly in Chile. Lastly, researchers are expected to break the bottlenecks of some key issues, offering valuable perspectives for identifying strategies that warrant additional research as potential biological control agents for B. hilaris in South America, utilizing either augmentative or conservation biological control approaches, as well as semiochemicals and cultural practices.