Parasitism and predation of sentinel eggs of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stal) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in the southeastern US

Authors: Tillman, Patricia - Glynn; TOEWS, MICHAEL - University Of Georgia; BLAAUW, BRETT - University Of Georgia; SIAL, ASHFAQ - University Of Georgia; Cottrell, Ted; TALAMAS, ELIJZH - University Of Florida; BUNTIN, DAVID - University Of Georgia; JOSEPH, SHIMAT - University Of Georgia; BALUSU, RAMMOHAN - Auburn University; FADAMIRO, HENRY - Auburn University; LAHIRI, SRYANKA - University Of Florida; PATEL, DILANI - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Biological Control
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/9/2020
Publication Date: 3/16/2020
Citation: Tillman, P.G., Toews, M., Blaauw, B., Sial, A., Cottrell, T.E., Talamas, E., Buntin, D., Joseph, S., Balusu, R., Fadamiro, H., Lahiri, S., Patel, D. 2020. Parasitism and predation of sentinel eggs of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in the southeastern US. Biological Control. 145(2020)104247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2020.104247.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2020.104247

Interpretive Summary: 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. Ten species of tiny parasites killed BMSB eggs. Prevalence of parasite species emerging from BMSB eggs was mainly specific to the habitat in which they were placed. Two new parasite species were discovered parasitizing BMSB eggs. Grasshoppers, big-eyed bugs, predatory stink bugs, fire ants, and spiders preyed on BMSB eggs. For one year of the study, percent parasitism was higher for blueberry compared to other crops except for peach and apple. Percent predation was higher in soybean and cotton than in other crops both years. Generally, predation was higher than parasitism. In conclusion, native stink bug parasitoids and predators are serving as biological control agents of BMSB eggs in the southeastern US.

Technical Abstract: Reproductive populations of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), are rapidly building in the Piedmont and expanding into Coastal Plains Regions of Georgia and Alabama. Consequently, this study was conducted to evaluate parasitism and predation of H. halys sentinel egg masses by indigenous parasitoids and predators in woodland habitats and orchard, vineyard, row, and vegetable crops alongside these habitats in the southeastern US. In 2017 and 2018, laboratory-reared H. halys egg masses were hung as sentinels on plants for 48-72 h. In the laboratory, retrieved egg masses were examined for predation and held for emergence of adult parasitoids. Of the ten parasitoid species, Anastatus reduvii (Howard), Anastatus mirabilis (Walsh & Riley), Trissolcus brochymenae (Ashmead), and Trissolcus euschisti (Ashmead) were the most prevalent ones in woodland and orchard habitats. Trissolcus edessae Fouts occurred primarily in orchards. Telenomus podisi Ashmead and Ooencyrtus sp. were the predominant species in row crops. Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) and Gyron obesum Masner were mainly present in vegetables. Trissolcus solocis Johnson and Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston) are new records for H. halys eggs. Gryllidae, Acrididae, and Tettigoniidae fed on eggs in field, and complete chewing damage characteristic of these taxa was detected on retrieved eggs. Some egg masses exhibited incomplete chewing predation characteristic of Coccinellidae, Carabidae, and Dermaptera. Anthocoridae, Geocoridae, and Pentatomidae fed on eggs in the field resulting in stylet sucking predation. Some sentinel eggs exhibited typical puncture sucking predation by Salticidae. Solenopsis invicta Buren removed eggs from egg masses in cotton and soybean. In 2017, percent parasitism was higher for blueberry compared to other crops except for peach and apple. There was no difference among crops in the proportion of parasitism in 2018. Percent predation was higher in soybean and cotton than in other crops both years. Generally, predation was higher than parasitism, and chewing predation was the most prevalent type of predation. In conclusion, native stink bug parasitoids and predators are serving as biological control agents of H. halys in the southeastern US.