Surveys of stink bug egg parasitism in Asia, Europe and North America, morphological taxonomy, and molecular analysis reveal the Holarctic distribution of Acroclisoides sinicus (Huang & Liao) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Authors: SABBATINI PEVERIERI, GIUSEPPINO - Council For Agricultural Research And Ag Econcomy Analysis; MITROIU, MIRCEA-DAN - University Of Romania; BON, MARIE-CLAUDE - European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL); BALUSU, RAMMOHAN - Auburn University; BENVENUTO, LUCA - Ersa Regional Agency For Rural Development; BERNARDINELLI, IRIS - Ersa Regional Agency For Rural Development; FADAMIRO, HENRY - Auburn University; FALAGIARDA, MARTINA - Research Centre For Agriculture And Forestry Laimburg; FUSU, LUCIAN - University Of Romania; GROVE, EMILY - Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International (CABI) - Switzerland; HAYE, TIM - Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International (CABI) - Switzerland; Hoelmer, Kim; LEMKE, EMILY - Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International (CABI) - Switzerland; MALOSSINI, GIORGIO - Ersa Regional Agency For Rural Development; MARIANELLI, LEONARDO - Crea; MOORE, MATTHEW - Florida State Department Of Agriculture; POZZEBON, ALBERTO - University Of Padua; ROVERSI, PIO FEDERICO - Crea; SCACCINI, DAVID - University Of Padua; SHREWSBURY, PAULA - University Of Maryland; Tillman, Patricia - Glynn; TIRELLO, PAOLA - University Of Padua; WATERWORTH, REBECCAH - University Of Maryland; TALAMAS, ELIJAH - Florida State Department Of Agriculture

Submitted to: Journal of Hymenoptera Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/28/2019
Publication Date: 12/30/2019
Citation: Sabbatini Peverieri, G., Mitroiu, M., Bon, M., Balusu, R., Benvenuto, L., Bernardinelli, I., Fadamiro, H., Falagiarda, M., Fusu, L., Grove, E., Haye, T., Hoelmer, K.A., Lemke, E., Malossini, G., Marianelli, L., Moore, M.R., Pozzebon, A., Roversi, P., Scaccini, D., Shrewsbury, P., Tillman, P.G., Tirello, P., Waterworth, R., Talamas, E. 2019. Surveys of stink bug egg parasitism in Asia, Europe and North America, morphological taxonomy, and molecular analysis reveal the Holarctic distribution of Acroclisoides sinicus (Huang & Liao) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 74: 123-151. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.74.46701.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.74.46701

Interpretive Summary: The brown maromorated stink bug is a widespread invasive stink bug for which only short-term solutions are currently available for pest control. The need for long-term management solutions for this pest has led to extensive research on biological control, especially by its egg parasitoids. Investigations in Asia, the U.S., and Europe on native and exotic egg parasitoids of H. halys, and the effects on non-target pentatomids, have improved our knowledge of parasitoid-host relationships, uncovered new associations, and led to the discovery of new species. This trend continues with Acroclisoides sinicus, a parasitoid wasp that was first described from Asia that attacks and develops in stink bug eggs. Our surveys have shown that this species now occurs in North America and Europe as well.

Technical Abstract: Halyomorpha halys is an invasive, widespread, stink bug for which only short-term solutions are currently available for pest control worldwide. The need for long-term management solutions for H. halys has driven studies on augmentative and classical biological control of this species, especially by its egg parasitoids. The numerous investigations in Asia, USA, and Europe on native and exotic egg parasitoids of H. halys, and the effects on non-target pentatomids, have improved the global knowledge of parasitoid-host relationships, uncovered new associations, and led to the discovery of new species. This trend continues with Acroclisoides sinicus, a pteromalid that was described in the 1980’s from Asia. In this work, we report recent findings of this species in North America and Europe. Moreover, we propose that Acroclisoides solus, a species described originally from the USA, is a new junior synonym of A. sinicus based on morphological and molecular analysis.