Astata unicolor (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) Population in Oregon With Observation of Predatory Behavior on Pentatomidae

The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorphahalys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is native to Northeast Asia, but has become a serious invasive species in North America and Europe, causing major damage to crops. While it has not established itself in Australia, it has been intercepted at the border several times, indicating that future incursions and establishment are a case of when, not if. Biological control is one of the few control options for this species and will be important for managing H.halys should it become established in Australia. Prioritizing species that could be used as biological control agents would ensure Australia is prepared. This study summarizes the literature on natural enemies of H. halys in its native and invaded ranges and prioritizes potential biological control agents of H.halys that could be used in Australia. Two egg parasitoid species were identified: Trissolcusjaponicus (Ashmead) and Trissolcusmitsukurii (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). Future efforts to develop biological control should focus on T. mitsukurii, as it is already present in Australia. However, little is known about this species and further work is required to: (1) assess its potential effectiveness in parasitizing H. halys, (2) determine its current distribution and (3) host range in Australia.

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preempting the Arrival of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys: Biological Control Options for Australia

Caron

Yonow

Paull

et al. 2021

“…The BMSB has been studied frequently (see the review in [ 79 ]). Predation on BMSB adults and nymphs by provisioning wasps specializing in stink bugs—e.g., Astata bicolor Say [ 7 ], Astata unicolor (Say) [ 7 , 188 , 190 ], and Bicyrtes quadrifasciata (Say) [ 7 , 188 ]—has been documented. Several studies and reviews have investigated predation on BMSBs in laboratory feeding trials [ 174 , 176 , 185 ] and sentinel egg mass studies [ 92 , 93 , 105 , 122 , 127 , 130 , 181 , 195 , 196 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural Enemies and Biological Control of Stink Bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) in North America

Ademokoya

Athey

Ruberson

2022

Stink bugs comprise a significant and costly pest complex for numerous crops in the US, including row crops, vegetables, and tree fruits and nuts. Most management relies on the use of broad-spectrum and disruptive insecticides with high human and environmental risks associated with them. Growing concerns about pesticide resistance in stink bugs are forcing pest managers to explore safer and more sustainable options. Here, we review the diverse suite of natural enemies of stink bugs in the US, noting that the egg and the late nymphal and adult stages of stink bugs are the most commonly attacked by parasitoids, whereas eggs and young nymphs are the stages most commonly attacked by predators. The effectiveness of stink bugs’ natural enemies varies widely with stink bug species and habitats, influencing the biological control of stink bugs across crops. Historically, biological control of stink bugs has focused on introduction of exotic natural enemies against exotic stink bugs. Conservation and augmentation methods of biological control have received less attention in the US, although there may be good opportunities to utilize these approaches. We identify some considerations for the current and future use of biological control for stink bugs, including the potential for area-wide management approaches.

“…Insecticide applications against nymphs can be more efficacious because soft-bodied nymphs are more susceptible than adults [ 21 ]. Furthermore, several native insects prey on BMSB nymphs based on a study in several Mid-Atlantic States [ 22 ] and a study in Oregon [ 23 ]. Sand wasps, Bicyrtis quadrifasciatus Say (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) and Astata unicolor Say (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae), prefer to raise their young on live nymphal BMSB.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring Nutrient Status of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Adults and Nymphs on Summer Holly

Skillman¹,

Wiman²,

Lee

2018

Halyomorpha halys (Stål), or brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), has become a major pest and nuisance for both agricultural growers and homeowners since its arrival in North America and Europe. The nutritional ecology of BMSB is important for understanding its life history and rearing requirements. However, little is known about the nutritional status of wild populations, especially in the U.S. This research monitored the nutrient status of nymphal and adult BMSB collected from English holly in western Oregon. We measured their weight, nutrient index (weight/(prothorax × width)3), lipid, glycogen and sugar levels and egg load from May–September/October. First, glycogen and sugar levels of adults were often lowest sometime in June-August with a general increase by September. Meanwhile, their lipid levels varied without a discernible trend. Second, adult females had few eggs in May, with the highest egg load in June and July, and no eggs by September. Lastly, first and second nymphal instars were found in June, and fourth and fifth instars in September. Because nothing is known about the nutrient levels of nymphs, the reported values from this survey can assist future research on physiological responses of BMSB to treatments or environmental impacts in the field.