Combining physiological host range, behavior and host characteristics for predictive risk analysis of Trissolcus japonicus

Authors: SABBATINI PEVERIERI, GUISEPPINO - Centro Di Ricerca Difesa E Certificazione (CREA – DC); BONCOMPAGNI, LUCA - University Of Florence; MAZZA, GIUSEPPE - Centro Di Ricerca Difesa E Certificazione (CREA – DC); PAOLI, FRANCESCO - Centro Di Ricerca Difesa E Certificazione (CREA – DC); DAPPORTO, LEONARDO - University Of Florence; GIOVANNINI, LUCREZIA - Centro Di Ricerca Difesa E Certificazione (CREA – DC); MARIANELLI, LEONARDO - Centro Di Ricerca Difesa E Certificazione (CREA – DC); Hoelmer, Kim; ROVERSI, PIO FEDERICO - Centro Di Ricerca Difesa E Certificazione (CREA – DC)

Submitted to: Journal of Pest Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/3/2020
Publication Date: 2/5/2021
Citation: Sabbatini Peverieri, G., Boncompagni, L., Mazza, G., Paoli, F., Dapporto, L., Giovannini, L., Marianelli, L., Hoelmer, K.A., Roversi, P. 2021. Combining physiological host range, behavior and host characteristics for predictive risk analysis of Trissolcus japonicus. Journal of Pest Science. 94:1003–1016. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-020-01311-w.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-020-01311-w

Interpretive Summary: The brown marmorated stink bug is an agriculturally important invasive pest of Asian origin, for which biological control is a promising management method. Parasitoid wasps such as the Asian samurai wasp that attack the stink bug eggs are the most important natural enemies of this pest. However, releasing exotic agents such as the samurai wasp in newly invaded regions requires extensive non-target risk evaluations. To evaluate the risk of adverse impacts on western European non-target stink bugs, simplified host range tests were developed that require much less time and fewer resources to conduct. The simplified method can also be used to predict the likely impacts on non-target stink bug species that have not yet been tested.

Technical Abstract: Halyomorpha halys is a severe agricultural pest that recently invaded several countries worldwide. Classical biological control, focused on the egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus, appears to be the most promising solution in the long-term. However, non-target risks need to be included in cost/benefit analysis and must be carefully evaluated. Physiological host range tests were conducted using a method based on the exposure to T. japonicus females of a single hemipteran egg for periods of either 2 h (short exposure) or 24 h (long exposure), and recording the females behavior and parasitization acceptance/success. Sixteen different hemipteran species in no-choice tests were studied, and tests revealed that 9 species were accepted and suitable for development by T. japonicus. The pentatomids Palomena prasina and Raphigaster nebulosa were accepted at rates comparable to H. halys. Species accepted at lower rates included Acrosternum heegeri, Carpocoris mediterraneus, C. purpeiripennis, and Dolycoris baccarum, and Piezodorus lituratus and Peribalus strictus were accepted at the lowest rates. The pentatomid species Eurydema ventralis, Sciocoris sidertis, Staria lunata, Nezara viridula, the two coreids Coreus marginatus and Gonocerus juniperi and the reduviid Rhinocoris iracundus were never parasitized. The use of a single egg as test unit and a short-term exposure of 2 h revealed no differences with the 24 h exposure that has been widely used in physiological host range testing. Moreover, the egg morphology was correlated with the acceptance rates, permitting us to propose a new predictive approach for non-target studies.