Importance of proper identification of invasives; error in table of contents photo

Authors: Weber, Donald; RIDER, DAVID - North Dakota State University; FAUNDEZ, EDUARDO - University Of Magallanes

Submitted to: Science Magazine
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/5/2018
Publication Date: 9/10/2018
Citation: Weber, D.C., Rider, D.A., Faundez, E.I. 2018. Importance of proper identification of invasives; error in table of contents photo. Science Magazine. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.361.6402.542.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.361.6402.542

Interpretive Summary: Proper identification of potential and actual invasive pests is an important component of our effort to prevent or reduce their impacts in the USA and globally. The photo purported to be brown marmorated stink bugs (8/10/2018 Science Table of Contents), in fact shows the nymphs of another stink bug, the yellow-spotted stink bug, native to Asia. In this letter, we correct the identification, and point out that (1) this is a serious fruit pest and a threat to invade outside its native range in the future; (2) The stink bug family contains about 5000 species, including pests, beneficial predators, and others, many of which have similar appearance; (3) it is important to properly identify unknown, potentially damaging invasive pests, which was not done promptly in the case of brown marmorated stink bug; and (4) for proper identification, support of systematists (scientists who classify and identify organisms including insects) is vital to our knowledge of biodiversity and to efforts to combat damage by invasive species.

Technical Abstract: Letter to the Editor, Science Magazine.