Occurrence, ecology and potential impact of the New Zealand wheat bug Nysius huttoni White (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) in Belgium

Abstract

In 2002 the New Zealand wheat bug Nysius huttoni White was observed for the first time in the Netherlands and Belgium. The introduction of N. huttoni to these regions presumably occurred via overseas transport of apple and kiwi fruits from New Zealand. Laboratory experiments showed that both eggs and adults of N. huttoni were capable of surviving cold conditions similar to those in overseas transportation. Specimens were sampled in Belgium and the Netherlands, and a DNA sequence analysis indicated a 100% similarity with N. huttoni material collected in Christchurch, New Zealand. The distribution of the lygaeid in Belgium in 2008 was studied based on a systematic sampling at 105 locations. The bug had been able to spread over most of the Belgian territory, with the exception of the most southern and eastern provinces. Given the poor flight capacity of Belgian N. huttoni populations, other methods of dispersal may be involved. N. huttoni occurred primarily in ruderal habitats, and its weedy host plants belong to very common plant families. Several observations support N. huttoni not being a threat for agricultural crops in Belgium under the present conditions of climate and soil usage.

Checklist of the New Zealand Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera): an update based on the 2004 to 2013 literature

“…This endemic species has been introduced into the Netherlands (2002), United Kingdom (2007) and Belgium (2008), presumably via the exportation of orchard fruits such as apples and kiwi fruits from New Zealand (Aukema et al 2005;Cuming 2008;Bonte et al 2010).…”

Assessment of Trap Crops for The Wheat Bug, Nysius huttoni Management: A Cage Study

“…In wheat, N. huttoni damages the grains which reduced the gluten protein and reduced baking quality (Every et al, 1992). Now this pest has been distributed in The Netherlands (Aukema et al, 2005) and in Belgium (Bonte et al, 2010).…”