Biology, Ecology, and Management of an Invasive Stink Bug,Bagrada hilaris, in North America

Abstract

The painted bug, Bagrada hilaris, native to eastern and southern Africa and Asia, was detected in California in 2008, and it has spread rapidly throughout several southwestern US states. A polyphagous insect, it is particularly damaging to the billion dollar cole crop industry. B. hilaris frequently causes damage when it migrates to newly planted crops from weedy hosts. Feeding produces circular or star-shaped chlorotic lesions that become necrotic, and infested plants may be distorted. Currently, no reliable sampling methods for B. hilaris exist, nor are there effective natural enemies in the United States. Therefore, management has relied on multiple applications of insecticides and cultural practices such as removal of weedy hosts, destruction of crop residues, timing of planting, and use of transplants. Several pyrethroid and neonicotinoid insecticides are most effective for controlling the insect. Reliable sampling methods and further development of integrated pest management strategies to manage this invasive pest are urgently needed as its range continues to expand.

Associational susceptibility of a native shrub induced by context‐dependent attraction of an invasive herbivore

“…Br. hilaris is an aposematically colored stink bug native to eastern and southern Africa, Middle East, and Asia, where it is a major agricultural pest of brassicaceous crops and some grains (Palumbo et al 2016). Its success stems from an early, rapid phenology; dense stands appear following fall rains and begin flowering as early as 40 days post-emergence (Marushia et al 2012).…”

“…tournefortii is a noxious forb from the Mediterranean region of northern Africa and southern Europe that has been present in California since at least 1927 (Minnich and Sanders 2000). hilaris first appeared in the western hemisphere in June 2008 in California (Palumbo and Natwick 2010) and is now present throughout much of the western United States and portions of Mexico (Bundy et al 2012, Palumbo et al 2016, Torres-Acosta and S anchez-Peña 2016. By late winter, mature individuals produce hundreds of siliques ❖ www.esajournals.org containing thousands of seeds.…”

“…hilaris is an oligophage that is most often associated with plants in the family Brassicaceae (Reed et al 2013, Lambert and Dudley 2014, Palumbo et al 2016, including weedy mustards, it has been observed to form dense aggregations on A. canescens in late spring following seasonal depletion and senescence of local Br. hilaris is an oligophage that is most often associated with plants in the family Brassicaceae (Reed et al 2013, Lambert and Dudley 2014, Palumbo et al 2016, including weedy mustards, it has been observed to form dense aggregations on A. canescens in late spring following seasonal depletion and senescence of local Br.…”

“…Finally, Ba. hilaris is an aposematically colored stink bug native to eastern and southern Africa, Middle East, and Asia, where it is a major agricultural pest of brassicaceous crops and some grains (Palumbo et al 2016). Ba.…”

“…Ba. hilaris first appeared in the western hemisphere in June 2008 in California (Palumbo and Natwick 2010) and is now present throughout much of the western United States and portions of Mexico (Bundy et al 2012, Palumbo et al 2016, Torres-Acosta and S anchez-Peña 2016). Although Ba.…”