Seasonal parasitism and host specificity of Trissolcus japonicus in northern China

Abstract

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), native to China, Japan, and Korea, has emerged as a harmful invasive pest of a variety of crops in North America and Europe. The Asian egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus has been identified as the most promising agent for classical biological control of invasive H. halys populations. A 4-year study evaluated the fundamental and ecological host ranges of T. japonicus as well as its phenology and impact on H. halys populations in fruit orchards in its native range in northern China. In laboratory no-choice tests, developmental suitability of eight non-target host species for T. japonicus was demonstrated by the successful production of progeny on the majority (>85%) of non-target host species tested. In field-collected, naturally laid egg masses, T. japonicus was the most abundant parasitoid associated with H. halys and Dolycoris baccarum, but was also sporadically found in Plautia crossota. Furthermore, it was regularly reared from sentinel egg masses of Menida violacea, Arma chinensis, and Carbula eoa. The only species that did not support development in the laboratory and field was Cappaea tibialis. Besides the benefit of having a high impact on H. halys populations in Northern China, the risk assessment conducted in the area of origin indicates that native Pentatomidae in North America and Europe could be negatively impacted by T. japonicus. Whether the benefits of T. japonicus outweigh the possible risks will have to be evaluated based on the outcome of additional host range studies in the two invaded regions.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10340-017-0863-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Surveying native egg parasitoids and predators of the invasive Halyomorpha halys in Northern Italy

“…This gap could be filled by introducing Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (syn. Trissolcus halyomorphae Yang; (Talamas et al, )) from the pest's native range in Asia, which has been identified as most promising for classical biological control of invasive H. halys populations, causing high levels of parasitism in China (Zhang et al, ). The role of predators in reducing H. halys populations in Italy requires further investigations as ongoing laboratory studies indicate that some species can efficiently predate on nymphs, whereas almost no egg consumption occurs (Maistrello et al, unpublished results).…”

“…The natural enemies complex and their impact on H. halys in its native range (Yang, Yao, Qiu, & Li, ; Zhang et al, ) and invaded areas (reviewed in Abram et al, ) was investigated in several earlier studies to evaluate the potential for biological control. In newly invaded areas, the natural enemy community of the alien invasive species is usually absent, but native natural enemies may accept it as food source (predators) or host for reproduction (parasitoids).…”

“…Eupelmidae). In China , Trissolcus japonicus (synonym T. halyomorphae (Ashmead) Talamas, Buffington, & Hoelmer, ) is an important biocontrol agent, causing parasitism rates as high as 80% (Li & Liu, ; Qiu, ; Yang et al, ; Zhang et al, ). In countries where H. halys was accidentally introduced , only a few native species belonging to the families Eupelmidae ( Anastatus spp.…”

A molecular tool to identify Anastatus parasitoids of the brown marmorated stink bug

“…In its native range, H. halys is attacked by a complex of scelionid and eupelmid egg parasitoids, with Trissolcus japonicus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) as the most prevalent species (Yang et al, 2009;Zhang et al, 2017). In Europe, native scelionid species typically associated with other pentatomids attempt to attack H. halys eggs, but are unable to complete development (Haye et al, 2015).…”

Biological control effects of non‐reproductive host mortality caused by insect parasitoids

“…This parasitoid is known to attack several other species and genera of Pentatomidae (Zhang et al. ), raising further potential for indirect effects to occur between native and invasive North American pentatomids. Recent calls for simultaneous consideration of both benefits and harms in ecological risk assessment of importation biological control programs indicate a need to incorporate both direct and indirect community interactions (Heimpel and Cock ).…”