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Research Project: Biological Control of Invasive Arthropod Pests from the Eastern Hemisphere

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Title: Abra-Bagrada, the magic of foreign exploration for egg parasitoids

Author
item SFORZA, RENE - European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL)
item KASINA, MUO - Kenya Agricultural And Livestock Research Organization
item ADDISON, PIA - Stellenbosch University
item BON, MARIE-CLAUDE - European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL)
item TALAMAS, ELIJAH - Florida Department Of Agriculture And Consumer Services

Submitted to: International Insects Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/5/2019
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: First reported in California in 2008, Bagrada hilaris (Hem., Pentatomidae) is a serious invasive pest on crucifer crops, such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. It has now spread in southern U.S. states and beyond in Hawaii, Mexico and recently in Chile in 2017. It is native from Africa and Asia where it can sporadically damage local crops. A phylogeographical study, using CO1, identified Pakistan as a source population for the invasive Bagrada in North America. Subsquently, surveys, in the frame of a biological control program involving egg parasitoids, started in 2015 in Pakistan. Three species were collected, including Trissolcus hyalinipennis and Gryon gonikopalense (Hym., Scelionidae). These promising egg parasitoid candidates are currently under evaluation in quarantine facilities. Subsequent surveys for finding additional biocontrol candidates in the native range and studying the egg enemy diversity on B. hilaris were conducted in Kenya and South Africa. Data will be presented in the light of technology transfer to local collaborators. Different collecting protocols were used to study the native biodiversity of egg parasitoids of Bagrada hilaris, such as sentinel eggs and Malaise trapping. The Scelionidae and Encyrtidae were particularly targeted during surveys. The cosmopolitan Trissolcus basalis (Hym., Scelionidae), and a Gryon sp., were collected in Africa. Foreign exploration is presented here by emphasizing the importance of building up collaborations within countries targeted for insect collection in the frame of Access Benefit Sharing agreements.