Initial evaluation of two native egg parasitoids for the control of Bagrada hilaris, an invasive stink bug in western USA

Authors: SFORZA, RENE - European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL); BON, MARIE-CLAUDE - European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL); MARTEL, GUILLAUME - European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL); AUGE, MATTHEW - Bbca-Onlus, Italy; ROCHE, MARIE - European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL); MAHMOOD, RIAZ - Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International (CABI) - Switzerland; Smith, Lincoln

Submitted to: International Symposium on Biological Control of Arthropods
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/11/2017
Publication Date: 9/18/2017
Citation: Sforza, R.F., Bon, M., Martel, G., Auge, M., Roche, M., Mahmood, R., Smith, L. 2017. Initial evaluation of two native egg parasitoids for the control of Bagrada hilaris, an invasive stink bug in western USA. 5th International Symposium on Biological Control of Arthropods, Langkawi Island, Malaysia, Sept. 10-15, 2017. pp. 221-223.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Bagrada bug, Bagrada hilaris (Hem.: Pentatomidae), is a major pest of cole crops (Brassicaceae). It was first reported in California in 2008 and has now spread to several U.S. states and Mexico. We studied host phylogeography by sequencing CO1 from 20 bagrada bug populations and determined that Pakistan is the likely origin for invasive US populations. Sentinel host eggs were used to collect 2 species of parasitoids: Trissolcus hyalinipennis and Gryon sp. (Hym.: Platygastridae) in Pakistan. Laboratory studies showed that 1 to 4-day old bagrada bug eggs were equally suitable for parasitization and that fresh eggs were more suitable than frozen eggs. Both species successfully attacked host eggs from California and South Africa. Longevity, development time, and fecundity were measured at room temperature to support future studies.