scholarly journals Olfactory Responses of Trissolcus Mitsukurii to Plants Attacked by Target and Non-target Stink Bugs Suggest Low Risk for Biological Control

Author(s):  
Gabriele Rondoni ◽  
Elena Chierici ◽  
Lucrezia Giovannini ◽  
Giuseppino Sabbatini-Peverieri ◽  
Pio Federico Roversi ◽  
...  

Abstract In crop systems, successful management of invasive insect herbivores can be achieved through the introduction of exotic biocontrol agents, i.e. parasitoids or predators, having a coevolutionary history with the pest. To avert threats to local biodiversity, recent legislations require a risk assessment for the organism to be released. Evaluation of its ability to exploit, for host location, odours associated with target and non-target species is crucial for a better definition of its ecological host range. Using Y-tube olfactometer in quarantine laboratory, we investigated the ability of the Asiatic egg parasitoid Trissolcus mitsukurii (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) to exploit odours associated with the global invader Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and with non-target stink bugs native to Southern Europe. We demonstrated that T. mitsukurii is attracted by plants exposed to feeding and egg deposition of the coevolved H. halys or the native Nezara viridula, while it is not attracted by physogastric females or eggs alone. Remarkably, T. mitsukurii is repelled by plants bearing eggs of the beneficial stink bug, Arma custos. Our results usefully contribute to a more thorough and nuanced assessment of the potential non-target risks in case of massive parasitoid release.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Rondoni ◽  
Elena Chierici ◽  
Lucrezia Giovannini ◽  
Giuseppino Sabbatini-Peverieri ◽  
Pio Federico Roversi ◽  
...  

Abstract Field release of classical biocontrol agents requires prior risk assessment to ensure that non-target effects are averted. No-choice and choice bioassays can provide basic information on the physiological host range of the candidate agent. However, other experimental methods, like olfactometer bioassays of host-plant complexes, can depict more realistically the likelihood that the released biocontrol agent localizes non-targets in the field. Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is native to Asia and invasive in North America and Europe, where it represents a major threat for crops. The Asiatic egg parasitoid Trissolcus mitsukurii (Ashmead) is adventive in Italy and exhibits high parasitization ability on H. halys. In the light of evaluating T. mitsukurii for H. halys biocontrol, its physiological host range has been already partially explored. Here, we investigated the ability of the parasitoid to exploit odours associated with H. halys or with the following non-targets: Arma custos F., Dolycoris baccarum L., Eurydema ventralis Kolenati, and Nezara viridula L. (all Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Specifically, using a Y-tube olfactometer, we tested the response of parasitoid females to plants bearing naturally laid eggs, to physogastric females or eggs of the different species. We observed that T. mitsukurii is only attracted by plants challenged by eggs of H. halys or N. viridula, while it is not attracted by physogastric females or eggs alone. Remarkably, T. mitsukurii was almost repelled by plants bearing eggs of the beneficial A. custos. Our results usefully contribute to a more valuable assessment of the potential non-target risks in case of parasitoid release.


2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-447
Author(s):  
Ted E. Cottrell ◽  
Rammohan R. Balusu ◽  
Edgar Vinson ◽  
Bryan Wilkins ◽  
Henry Y. Fadamiro ◽  
...  

Abstract Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are commonly monitored using pyramid traps baited with a pheromone. Initially, the pyramid traps were painted yellow and predominantly used to monitor native stink bug species. However, research studies involving the exotic Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) now use pyramid traps that are black, not yellow. As H. halys moves across the southeastern United States, the use of a single trap, yellow or black, for monitoring and conducting research studies would be beneficial. Our objective was to compare black and yellow pyramid traps baited with a lure to determine if one was superior for trapping herbivorous stink bugs. This study was conducted at four locations, three in Alabama and one in Georgia, over 2 yr. Additionally, residual efficacy of the lure was measured via trap capture over 1-mo intervals. Our results showed that only when native stink bug species were combined, and only in 1 yr, were captures significantly affected by trap color. Capture of the exotic H. halys and the most abundant native species, Euschistus servus (Say), was not significantly affected by trap color. Trap capture was significantly affected by how long a lure was in a trap. The data from this study suggests that when traps are used in conjunction with a pheromone to monitor multiple species of adult stink bugs, especially native species, the yellow pyramid trap is favored.


2017 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 1097-1105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Zhi Zhong ◽  
Jin-Ping Zhang ◽  
Li-Li Ren ◽  
Rui Tang ◽  
Hai-Xia Zhan ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Warren H. L. Wong ◽  
Matt A. Walz ◽  
Angela B. Oscienny ◽  
Jade L. Sherwood ◽  
Paul K. Abram

AbstractAn effective stockpiling method for egg masses of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys [Stål]; Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) would be useful for rearing and field studies of its egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). The current method of stockpiling H. halys egg masses at sub-zero temperatures has lethal and sublethal fitness consequences for T. japonicus. We show that parasitoid emergence from egg masses refrigerated at 8°C for up to two months before parasitism is higher than from frozen egg masses and usually has minimal or no sublethal fitness effects (sex ratio, development time, activity, fecundity, longevity, and weight) on emerging T. japonicus. Only after two months of host egg refrigeration did the emergence of T. japonicus begin to decrease significantly (by 9.6% relative to untreated viable egg masses), whereas egg masses previously frozen at -80°C had a 58.8% reduction in parasitoid emergence after 14 days of storage. Refrigerated egg masses that were subsequently exposed to average field temperatures (warm: 22.9°C; cool: 13.2°C) were still suitable for T. japonicus parasitism after 7 days, while viable egg masses exposed to warm temperatures for 7 days before parasitism had 24.1% lower parasitoid emergence. Our results demonstrate that refrigeration at 8°C, while resulting in complete mortality of H. halys embryos after 10 days, are more suitable for T. japonicus parasitism than those stored at sub-zero temperatures. The quantity and quality of H. halys eggs that can be stockpiled with this method could facilitate T. japonicus laboratory colony maintenance, field monitoring, and releases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zehua Wang ◽  
Fan Yang ◽  
Ang Sun ◽  
Shuang Shan ◽  
Yongjun Zhang ◽  
...  

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) have been identified in the sensory tissues of various insect species and are believed to be involved in chemical communication in insects. However, the physiological roles of CSPs in Halyomorpha halys, a highly invasive insect species, are rarely reported. Here, we focused on one of the antennal CSPs (HhalCSP15) and determined whether it was involved in olfactory perception. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that HhalCSP15 was enriched in nymph and male and female adult antennae, indicating its possible involvement in the chemosensory process. Fluorescence competitive binding assays revealed that three of 43 natural compounds showed binding abilities with HhalCSP15, including β-ionone (Ki=11.9±0.6μM), cis-3-hexen-1-yl benzoate (Ki=10.5±0.4μM), and methyl (2E,4E,6Z)-decatrienoate (EEZ-MDT; Ki=9.6±0.8μM). Docking analysis supported the experimental affinity for the three ligands. Additionally, the electrophysiological activities of the three ligands were further confirmed using electroantennography (EAG). EEZ-MDT is particularly interesting, as it serves as a kairomone when H. halys forages for host plants. We therefore conclude that HhalCSP15 might be involved in the detection of host-related volatiles. Our data provide a basis for further investigation of the physiological roles of CSPs in H. halys, and extend the olfactory function of CSPs in stink bugs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 87 ◽  
pp. 503-521
Author(s):  
Sarah Birkmire ◽  
Cory Penca ◽  
Elijah J. Talamas ◽  
Matthew R. Moore ◽  
Amanda C. Hodges

Psix striaticeps (Dodd) is an egg-parasitoid wasp previously known only from the Old World. We report this species from twelve counties in Florida, which are the first records in the Western Hemisphere. It was collected in yellow cylinder traps and reared from the eggs of three stink bug species: Nezara viridula L., Chinavia marginata (Palisot de Beauvois), and Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood). A COI barcode analysis found a 100% match between the Floridian population and a specimen from South Africa. The prospects of using Ps. striaticeps as a biological control agent against exotic stink bugs are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucrezia Giovannini ◽  
Giuseppino Sabbatini-Peverieri ◽  
Leonardo Marianelli ◽  
Gabriele Rondoni ◽  
Eric Conti ◽  
...  

Abstract The invasive stink bug Halyomorpha halys is a severe agricultural pest of worldwide importance, and chemical insecticides are largely sprayed for the control of its populations. Negative impacts and several failures in chemical pest management led to consider classical biological control as one of the most promising methods in a long-term perspective. The Asian egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus is the main candidate biocontrol agent of H. halys, but more recently a second Asian egg parasitoid, Trissolcus mitsukurii, is getting attention after adventive populations were found on H. halys egg masses in Europe. Before recommending the use of T. mitsukurii for biological control of H. halys, a risk analysis is necessary and therefore here we present the first study on the fundamental physiological host range of this parasitoid in Europe. Tests conducted with T. mitsukurii on different hemipterans, using three different experimental designs, revealed a broad physiological host range, comparable with the host range displayed by T. japonicus under similar laboratory conditions. Specifically, in addition to its coevolved host H. halys, T. mitsukurii successfully parasitized the majority of tested pentatomid species and one scutellerid, although with highly variable emergence rates. Host egg sizes positively affected parasitoid size and female egg load. Further studies, testing more complex systems that involve olfactory cues from host and host plants, will simulate different aspects of the parasitoid host location behavior under field conditions, allowing in-depth evaluation of the possible risks associated with the use of T. mitsukurii as a biocontrol agent of H. halys.


Author(s):  
Adam Formella ◽  
Seth J Dorman ◽  
Sally V Taylor ◽  
Thomas P Kuhar

Abstract The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), is a polyphagous pest that feeds on a wide variety of agricultural commodities including tree fruits, berries, vegetables, field crops, and ornamental trees and shrubs. Accurate knowledge of where H. halys lays eggs is critical to optimize the potential release of Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead), a scelionid egg parasitoid native to the same host region as H. halys. Ideally, parasitoids should be released in and around areas with high host density. In southwestern Virginia in 2017 and 2018, we searched trees for egg masses in an urban environment and nonmanaged wooded border environment. We also evaluated the effects of a commercial aggregation lure on the number of eggs being deposited. This aggregation lure, when combined with methyl (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate (MDT), has been shown to attract both adult and nymph H. halys and its effects on egg laying were not known. Results of this study showed no difference between the number of eggs laid on trees with and without lures. Catalpa trees, Catalpa bignonioides Walter, had the most egg masses throughout the course of the study; however, the redbud, Cercis canadensis L., had similar numbers in the late July and August. There was an overall trend with more eggs masses found on trees with fruiting structures present. This information can provide insight on where and when to make augmentative releases of egg parasitoids for H. halys.


2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean M Boyle ◽  
Donald C Weber ◽  
Judith Hough-Goldstein ◽  
Kim A Hoelmer

Abstract The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), is a highly polyphagous species native to Asia that has become a serious invasive agricultural and nuisance pest across North America and Europe. Classical biological control host range evaluations have revealed egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) to be the primary candidate biocontrol agent for field release against H. halys. However, these evaluations only provide us with the physiological host range of T. japonicus. Other Trissolcus species have demonstrated that contact kairomones from different host species elicit varied responses in the parasitoids’ host foraging behaviors. To assess T. japonicus response to host kairomones, mated naive females were exposed to leaf surfaces contaminated with adult kairomones from its preferred host, H. halys, or from a native nontarget host, Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae). Red maple, apple, and soybean were used as plant substrate treatments. The wasp’s residence time on the leaf surface, linear walking velocity, and angular walking velocity were observed and measured using Noldus EthoVision XT tracking software. Within each leaf treatment, T. japonicus displayed stronger behavioral responses on leaves contaminated with contact kairomones from H. halys. The parasitoid resided on H. halys contaminated leaves for approximately twice as a long as it did on P. maculiventris contaminated leaves. Further, both species’ kairomones elicited significant decreases in parasitoid walking velocity on all tested substrate types. Overall, our study suggests that kairomone-based behavioral studies can be used to further evaluate the host specificity of T. japonicus and can be an invaluable supplement to classical biocontrol host range testing regimes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 2077-2084 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M Lowenstein ◽  
Heather Andrews ◽  
Anthony Mugica ◽  
Nik G Wiman

Abstract The spread of adventive Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead, 1904) populations in North America is anticipated to increase biological control of Halyomorpha halys (Stål; Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), the brown marmorated stink bug. In an agricultural context, biological control will succeed if it can be integrated in an environment with insecticide applications. We investigated T. japonicus compatibility with nine conventional and organic insecticides commonly used in integrated pest management in perennial crops. Through evaluating mortality and longevity in field and laboratory trials, we determined that T. japonicus fares poorly when exposed to residues of neonicotinoids and pyrethroids. Spinosad resulted in the highest percentage of T. japonicus mortality, 100% in the laboratory and 97% in a field trial. The anthranilic diamide, chlorantraniliprole, had the lowest lethality, with no differences compared to an untreated control. Trissolcus japonicus survived insecticide applications in hazelnut orchards, and over 50% of wasps remained alive after contact with the anthranilic diamides, chlorantraniliprole and cyantraniliprole, the biopesticide Chromobacterium, and an untreated control. Our results indicate that T. japonicus is unlikely to survive and parasitize H. halys in settings that coincide with broad-spectrum insecticide application. Future T. japonicus redistributions could continue in orchards treated with anthranilic diamides and Chromobacterium. As H. halys is a landscape-level pest, orchards may also benefit from biological control if T. japonicus are released in unsprayed areas adjacent to agriculture and in urban sites.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document