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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Newark, Delaware » Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #356284
Research Project: Classical Biological Control of Insect Pests of Crops, Emphasizing Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Spotted Wing Drosophila and Tarnished Plant Bug

Location: Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit

Title: Guess the Pest Week 20 – 21 Trissolcus japonicus

Author
item CISSEL, BILL - University Of Delaware
item Kaser, Joseph
item OWENS, DAVID - University Of Delaware

Submitted to: Weekly Crop Update
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/24/2018
Publication Date: 8/24/2018
Citation: Cissel, B., Kaser, J.M., Owens, D. 2018. Guess the Pest Week 20 – 21 Trissolcus japonicus. Weekly Crop Update. 26(22): 4-5.

Interpretive Summary: Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), the brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive agricultural pest in the U.S. The parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), the samurai wasp, was recently introduced into North America and is known to be an important natural enemy of H. halys in its native range. Collaborative efforts between the University of Delaware and ARS BIIRU researchers, including redistribution of T. japonicus throughout Delaware, are ongoing to manage brown marmorated stink bug populations.

Technical Abstract: The brown marmorated stink is a serious invasive agricultural pest in the US. We describe the ecology and agricultural significance of a beneficial insect called the samurai wasp, which is a natural enemy of an the brown marmorated stink bug. This article describes recent collaborative activities between the University of Delaware and ARS BIIRU researchers, including redistribution of T. japonicus throughout Delaware to manage brown marmorated stink bug populations. This work will educate the general public about agriculturally important insects in the mid-Atlantic region of the US.