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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Kearneysville, West Virginia » Appalachian Fruit Research Laboratory » Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #373436
Research Project: Integrated Orchard Management and Automation for Deciduous Tree Fruit Crops (BRIDGE PROJECT)

Location: Innovative Fruit Production, Improvement, and Protection

Title: Seasonal captures of Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) and the effects of habitat type and tree species on detection frequency

Author
item QUINN, NICOLE - Virginia Tech
item TALAMAS, ELIJAH - Florida Department Of Agriculture And Consumer Services
item Leskey, Tracy
item BERGH, J. CHRISTOPHER - Virginia Tech

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/22/2021
Publication Date: 1/29/2021
Citation: Quinn, N.F., Talamas, E.J., Leskey, T.C., Bergh, J. 2021. Seasonal captures of Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) and the effects of habitat type and tree species on detection frequency. Insects. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12020118.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12020118

Interpretive Summary: Trissolcus japonicus, the Samurai wasp, is a highly effective egg parasitoid of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug. Because there was no information regarding the Samurai wasp seasonal activity or preferred habitat, yellow sticky traps were placed in the mid-canopy of female Tree of Heaven in three habitat types (woodlots, windbreaks, small tree of heaven islands in the middle of open fields) in 2018 and 2019. In 2018, captures were significantly greater in windbreaks than at the edge of woodlots, but no significant effects were observed in 2019. We captured more females than males each year, and activity spanned from mid-May to mid-September. These results enhance our understanding Samurai wasp foraging activity; thus, improving our capacity to evaluate its presence and spread in the USA.

Technical Abstract: In Asia, Trissolcus japonicus is a highly effective egg parasitoid of Halyomorpha halys. Currently, there is no information regarding seasonal activity of adventive T. japonicus in the USA or whether habitat characteristics affect its presence or relative abundance. To evaluate habitat effects and seasonality of T. japonicus detections, yellow sticky traps were placed in the mid-canopy of female Ailanthus altissima in three habitat types in 2018 and 2019. In 2018, captures were significantly greater in windbreaks than at the edge of woodlots, but no significant effects were observed in 2019. The sex ratio of captured individuals was significantly more female-biased than expected, based on results from laboratory studies. These results enhance the efficiency of surveillance efforts for T. japonicus; thus, improving our capacity to evaluate its distribution and spread in the USA.