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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Southeast Watershed Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #354968
Research Project: Ecology and Biologically-based Management Systems for Insect Pests in Agricultural Landscapes in the Southeastern Region

Location: Southeast Watershed Research

Title: New record of Trissolcus solocis (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) parasitizing Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in the United States of America

Author
item BALUSU, RAMMOHAN - Auburn University
item Cottrell, Ted
item TALAMAS, ELIJAH - University Of Florida
item TOEWS, MICHAEL - University Of Georgia
item BLAAUW, BRETT - University Of Georgia
item SIAL, ASHFAQ - University Of Georgia
item BUNTIN, DAVID - University Of Georgia
item VINSON, EDGAR - Auburn University
item FADAMIRO, HENRY - Auburn University
item Tillman, Patricia - Glynn

Submitted to: Biodiversity Data Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/18/2019
Publication Date: 2/19/2019
Citation: Balusu, R., Cottrell, T.E., Talamas, E., Toews, M., Blaauw, B., Sial, A., Buntin, D., Vinson, E.L., Fadamiro, H., Tillman, P.G. 2019. New record of Trissolcus solocis (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) parasitizing Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in the United States of America. Biodiversity Data Journal. 7:e30124. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.7.e30124.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.7.e30124

Interpretive Summary: The invasive brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) has expanded into the Piedmont and Coastal Plains Regions of Georgia and Alabama. The diversity of natural enemies attacking this pest is unknown in these states. A team of scientists from ARS, the University of Georgia, Clemson University, and Auburn University conducted a study to examine parasitism of BMSB egg masses in orchards, row crops, and vegetables. They discovered a new parasitic wasp, Trissolcus solocis, emerging from frozen BMSB egg masses in the United States. Further studies will be conducted assess the impact of this parasitic waps species on BMSB in crops and surrounding habitats.

Technical Abstract: The invasive brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) has expanded into the Piedmont and Coastal Plains Regions of Georgia and Alabama. Because the diversity of natural enemies attacking this pest is unknown in these states, a team of biological control research scientists from ARS, The University of Georgia, Clemson University, and Auburn University deployed BMSB egg masses as sentinels in orchards, row crops, and vegetables. The egg parasitoid, Trissolcus solocis, emerged from frozen BMSB egg masses in sassafras and cotton in Prattville, AL and in cotton in Shorter, AL. This is the first record of this parasitoid species attacking BMSB eggs in the United States even though it has been present in the northeast for over ten years. Further studies will be conducted to assess the impact of this parasitoid species on BMSB eggs in the southeastern United States.