Biological Control of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: Prospects and Procedures Brian Cutting Christine Dieckhoff Kim Hoelmer USDA-ARS Beneficial Insects Introduction Research, Newark, DE
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Halyomorpha halys White bands on antennae checkerboard pattern on connexivia Photo: B. Cutting
BMSB Life Cycle Photos: W. Hershberger, B. Cutting
Home Invaders Steve Ruark for The New York Times B. Cutting
Agricultural Pest Photos: MD Dept. of Agriculture, Galen Dively, Gary Bernon, Douglas Pfeiffer
In 2010 BMSB was responsible for an estimated $37 million in losses to mid-atlantic growers of apples alone.
Source: Tracy Leskey, USDA-ARS www.stopbmsb.org
), and has been studied as a potential biological control agent However, T. halyomorpha does not appear to have constrained ative distribution of BMSB, as it parasitizes other stink bugs and competes with other parasites [72]. So far, no effective ral enemy isavailable for BMSB control in Asia and the US, ugh many efforts explored possibilities [31]. consideration. Comparison of the climatic envelopes occupie native and invasive populations offers useful information variable selection prior to the prediction, since niches ma conserved along some environmental axes but not along ot [13,33]. We initially incorporated the GLC, NDVI, and human footprint index into model calibration. We found Estimated potential range of BMSB re 6. Niche model based on reduced native records and transferred worldwide using Maxent. Dark green color represents bility, light green indicates low suitability. White circles indicate the 95 occurrences used for model calibration, black dots and white squ Zhu et al. 2012 sent the remaining native and invasive records used for model evaluation. 0.1371/journal.pone.0031246.g006
How is BMSB moving?
Re or How is BMSB moving? Movement onto Nursery Crop Feeding on trunks of trees Photo: Mike Raupp Fa
Brazen Bugs? Photo: Sean Wiles, USDA-ARS
How to fight stink bugs?
How to fight stink bugs?
Natural biological control Pathogens Predators Paula Shrewbury Metarhizium spp. Ophiocordiceps spp. Parasitoids Egg parasitoids Parasitoids of adults Lacewings, predatory stink bugs, spiders, ants, birds etc.
Search for native parasitoids Search for tachinid fly eggs Sentinel egg masses for egg parasitoids
% BMSB found with tachinid eggs Parasitism of adult BMSB: Proportion with tachinid eggs 0.20 10 0.15 0.10 0.05 34 48 24 1 7 Overwinter sites Summer feeders 0.00 62 437 70 337 120 662 479 2466 1606 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 N examined = 6,372 N parasitized = 112 N emerged tachinid = 1
Percent Parasitism BMSB egg parasitism 10 8 6 Less than 4% of eggs in Newark were parasitized. 4 2 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 The rate of discovery of egg masses has not significantly increased over time. Individual Eggs Egg Masses
+ = Classical biological control is the best hope for sustainable management of BMSB.
Foreign Exploration
Trissolcus mitsukurii Photo: Steve Valley, Oregon Dept. of Agriculture
Safeguards in Quarantine: Red light appears as dark UV insect traps Multiple secure doors White suits Cool temperatures Extensive training
Trissolcus flavipes 14 Colonies in total Trissolcus mitsukurii Trissolcus plautiae Trissolcus halyomorphae
Host specificity of Asian Trissolcus? Photos: Chris Hedstrom, B. Cutting
Host-specificity of parasitoids A successful egg parasitoid must: Overlap with host habitat Overlap with time of host activity Locate and recognize host (chemical, visual cues) Have morphological compatibility (able to sting) Have developmental compatibility (chemical, nutritional, temporal)
Host specificity of Asian Trissolcus All egg parasitoids All parasitoids of pentatomid bugs Test degree of specificity (to BMSB) Photo: Steve Valley
Host range testing Attack & Development native non-target BMSB target native non-target No Choice Choice
Host Range Evaluation Banasa calva Banasa dimiata Banasa euchlora Brochymena quadripustulata Chinavia hilaris Chlorochroa saucia Chlorochroa sayi Chlorochroa senilis Cosmopepla lintneriana Edesssa florida Euschistus servus Euschistus servus Euschistus tristigmus Euschistus variolarius Euschistus variolarius Holcostethus limbolarius Hymenarcys nervosa Menecles insertus Mormidea lugens Murgantia histrionica Oebalus pugnax Perillus bioculatus Podisus maculiventris Stiretrus anchorago Thyanta custator Thyanta custator accerra Thyanta custator accerra Trichopepla semivittata
Collaborative Effort
Host specificity of Asian Trissolcus Photos: Chris Hedstrom, B. Cutting
Additional BMSB related work Competition between native and Asian parasitoids Parasitism rates of egg masses field ID of parasitoids and behavioral evaluation
The Hoelmer Lab Photos: Daria Tatman (USDA), Megan Krol (the Review),B. Cutting
Thank you!