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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Newark, Delaware » Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #379410
Research Project: Biological Control for Management of Invasive Pest Management, Emphasizing Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Spotted Wing Drosophila and other Invasive Insect Pests of Crops

Location: Beneficial Insects Introduction Research Unit

Title: Rearing Trissolcus japonicus and Trissolcus mitsukurii for biological control of Halyomorpha halys

Author
item SABBATINI PEVERIERI, GUISEPPINO - Centro Di Ricerca Difesa E Certificazione (CREA – DC)
item DIECKHOFF, CHRISTINE - University Of Delaware
item GIOVANNINI, LUCREZIA - Centro Di Ricerca Difesa E Certificazione (CREA – DC)
item MARIANELLI, LEONARDO - Centro Di Ricerca Difesa E Certificazione (CREA – DC)
item ROVERSI, PIO FEDERICO - Centro Di Ricerca Difesa E Certificazione (CREA – DC)
item Hoelmer, Kim

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/9/2020
Publication Date: 11/11/2020
Citation: Sabbatini Peverieri, G., Dieckhoff, C., Giovannini, L., Marianelli, L., Roversi, P., Hoelmer, K.A. 2020. Rearing Trissolcus japonicus and Trissolcus mitsukurii for biological control of Halyomorpha halys. Insects. 11(11). 787. 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11110787.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11110787

Interpretive Summary: Halyomorpha halys is a severe agricultural pest of Asian origin, which threatens cultivation of vegetables and fruits worldwide. Classical biological control is foreseen as the most effective approach to reduce populations of H. halys. The egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus is the most important candidate biological control agent. Adventive populations of T. japonicus are already present in limited distributions in North America and in Europe. Trissolcus mitsukurii is a second Asian species that attacks H. halys and which has been found in Northern Italy. Efficient laboratory rearing procedures of these biological control agents are needed for release programs to help control the pest. We present data that will help to optimize progeny production with minimal effort.

Technical Abstract: Halyomorpha halys is a severe agricultural pest of Asian origin that has invaded many countries throughout the world. Pesticides are currently the favored control methods, but as a consequence of their frequent use often disrupt Integrated Pest Management. Biological control with egg parasitoids is seen as the most promising control method over the long-term. Knowledge of the reproductive biology under laboratory conditions of the most effective candidates (Trissolcus japonicus and Trissolcus mitsukurii) for optimizing production for field releases is strongly needed. Rearing of these egg parasitoids was tested by offering three different host supply regimes using new emerged females and aged, host deprived females in different combinations. Results showed a mean progeny per female ranging from 80 to 85 specimens for T. japonicus and from 63 to 83 for T. mitsukurii. Sex ratios were strongly female biased and emergence rates were over 94%. Cumulative curves showed that longer periods of maternal female rearing over 10 days with the adopted regimes will not lead to a significantly increased progeny production. Longevity of females and egg load in the ovary are also discussed for optimizing laboratory rearing. Maximum female egg load was congruent with the progeny obtained during parasitization.