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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Horticultural Crops Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #375012
Research Project: Biologically-based Management of Arthropod Pests in Small Fruit and Nursery Crops

Location: Horticultural Crops Research Unit

Title: Floral resources for Trissolcus japonicus, a parasitoid of Halyomorpha halys

Author
item MCINTOSH, HANNA - University Of Wisconsin
item SKILLMAN, VICTORIA - Oregon State University
item Galindo, Gracie
item Lee, Jana

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/26/2020
Publication Date: 7/3/2020
Citation: McIntosh, H., Skillman, V., Galindo, G., Lee, J.C. 2020. Floral resources for Trissolcus japonicus, a parasitoid of Halyomorpha halys. Insects. 11(7):413-422. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11070413.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11070413

Interpretive Summary: The parasitic samurai wasp that attacks the eggs of the brown marmorated stink bug could help control this agricultural and structural pest. Providing the wasp with sugar sources via flowers is one way to encourage the wasp to flourish and exert more control on the pest. We tested 8 floral species in the lab for extending the longevity of the samurai wasp: alyssum, buckwheat, cilantro, dill, marigold, mustard, phacelia, and red clover. Buckwheat, cilantro, and dill extended the longevity of the samurai wasp compared to the water control. Also, wasps that fed on these flowers had elevated sugar levels in their body which confirms that they had fed on the flowers and gained energetic resources. Wasps that fed on cilantro and dill also had elevated glycogen levels, which could be important for their longer-term success since glycogen is important during the overwintering phase or as fuel for flight. Lastly, more research is planned to determine if planting these flowers in the field will improve biological control of the brown marmorated stink bug.

Technical Abstract: The egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus is the main candidate for classical biocontrol of the invasive agricultural pest Halyomorpha halys. The efficacy of classical biocontrol depends on the parasitoid’s survival and conservation in the agroecosystem. Most parasitoid species rely on floral nectar as a food source, so identifying nectar sources for T. japonicus is critical. We evaluated the impact of 8 flowering plant species on T. japonicus survival in the lab by exposing unfed wasps to flowers inside vials. We also measured the wasps’ nutrient levels to confirm feeding and energy storage using anthrone and vanillin assays adapted for T. japonicus. Buckwheat, cilantro, and dill provided the best nectar source for T. japonicus by improving median longevity by 15, 3.5, and 17.5 days compared to water, respectively. These three nectar sources increased wasps’ sugar levels, and cilantro and dill also increased glycogen levels. Further research is needed to determine if these flowers maintain their longevity benefits in the field, and whether they will increase parasitism rate of H. halys.