Halyomorpha Halys Research Articles

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Different Trap Types and Pheromones against Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Brown Marmorated Stink bug (BMSB) (Halyomorpha halys, Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) was first detected in Türkiye in 2017 and is an important invasive insect species worldwide. About 300 hosts have been identified for this pest until recently. Among the hosts of the pest in the Black Sea region, mainly hazelnuts, fruits and vegetables are included. This study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of different traps in 2020 and 2021 in a mandarin garden in the Kemalpaşa district of Artvin, one of the places where the pest was first transmitted to Türkiye. Small Funnel Trap (SFT), McPhail Funnel Trap (MPT), Multi-Funnel Trap (MFT), and Big Funnel Trap (BFT) and two different pheromones SMC and TRC were tested against H. halys. Each trap was tested with two different pheromones, and the trapping performances of different trap types were followed from the beginning of July to the end of October. The adults were counted every week in the traps. In the traps, it was determined that the most insect-attractive pheromone and trap type combination was TRC+BFT and that the least effective insect trapping type was the SMC+MPT combination. In general, it was determined that TRC, which is the most effective pheromone, also works effectively with BFT and MPT. It was determined that SMC pheromone formed a more effective combination with SFT. In addition, it is predicted that larger-scale designs of MPT will be more effective together with TRC, and SFT with SMC. In this study, it was determined that the performances of different types of traps and pheromones that can be used in the control and monitoring of BMSB vary up to 29 times, and the importance of the combination of pheromone and trap was revealed.

Host stage and temperature for the rearing of Aridelus rufotestaceus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), with notes on acceptance and suitability of 2 stink bug species.

Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a harmful pest of many agricultural crops in different parts of the world. This stink bug is the preferred host species of Aridelus rufotestaceus Tobias (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), an endoparasitoid of nymphs and adults of pentatomids. With the aim to improve the rearing procedure of this beneficial insect, the acceptance and suitability of all mobile stages of N. viridula (from first instar nymph to adult) were evaluated. At 25 °C, all host stages were accepted and suitable for A. rufotestaceus development, but the highest parasitoid cocoon and adult yields were obtained from second instar nymphs. The possibility to reduce the development time of A. rufotestasceus by increasing the rearing temperature was also evaluated, but 28 °C proved to be detrimental for parasitoid development, as shown by the very low cocoon and adult numbers obtained. The acceptance and suitability of the invasive pentatomid species Halyomorpha halys (Stål) for A. rufotestaceus was also tested. Female wasps were observed piercing H. halys nymphs with the ovipositor, but no cocoons were obtained, nor were larvae or head capsules detected in the exposed stink bugs.

The Preliminary Study on the Biology of An Invasive Species, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Northwest Türkiye

The Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) [Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)] is a polyphagous pest causing significant damage to approximately 300 crops, such as nuts, vegetables, and ornamentals. In 2017, the BMSB was discovered for the first time in Türkiye. There is currently no published data available on the biology of the pest in Türkiye. This preliminary study was carried out in Sakarya province, where the BMSB has observed a low population since 2021. In this study, some biological parameters such as voltinism, mortality rates, egg hatching rates, and egg-adult developmental times of the 1st and 2nd generations of the insect populations were determined. The study was carried out under semi-field conditions and laboratory. Considering the BMSB's minimum temperature threshold, which has yet to be determined in Turkey, the accumulation of degree days was calculated using the references to four possible thresholds (DD12, 12.5, 13, 13.5) and was determined to be between 536.91 - 608.69 DD. The average egg-adult developmental time was 47.85 days for the 1st generation at naturally fluctuating temperatures and 47.13 days for the 2nd generation under laboratory conditions at 25 ֯C. The hatching rate of egg masses was determined to 90.63% in the 1st generation and 57.75% in the 2nd generation. Total mortality in the first generation was 22.97% and 90.24% in the second generation. It was revealed that the insect could produce two generations in Türkiye, but the number of egg-producing adults and eggs laid in the second generation was significantly lower than that in the first. This preliminary study was carried out with a limited number of samples due to the initial infesting in the region and, therefore more comprehensive research is needed to reveal the the biology of BMSB in the country.

The Introduction and Establishment of Four Invasive Insect Species in Serbia.

Urban areas are often populated by specific species of insects, some colorful and appealing, such as ladybugs and butterflies, and others irritating as nuisance bitters or as vectors of pathogens of public health importance. Mosquitoes in urban areas often utilize habitats adjacent to human residences, while phytophagous insect species such as stink bugs often colonize ornamental plants and utilize human-made structures including houses as overwintering shelters. This article discusses the early detection and the current distribution of two invasive mosquito species, Aedes albopictus Skuse 1894 and Ae. japonicus (Theobald 1901), in Serbia, introduced in 2009 and 2018, respectively. From the first findings until today, regular monitoring has been carried out and the establishment of both species in the newly invaded areas has been confirmed. Both species can become nuisance species, especially at high population densities, but more importantly, they are capable of transmitting a wide variety of arboviruses of public health importance. This article also discusses two invasive stink bug species Halyomorpha halys Stål 1855 and Nezara viridula Linnaeus 1758, introduced in Serbia in 2015 and 2008, respectively. These two stink bug species have also been monitored, and the establishment of their populations in the country has been confirmed. Both species have caused damage to a wide range of crops and ornamental plants and sometimes become nuisance pests in urban areas.

Interactions between egg parasitoids and predatory ants for the biocontrol of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys

AbstractThe brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys is an Asian species that has become a major agricultural pest in North America and Europe. Ants from the genus Crematogaster are predators of H. halys nymphs in Asia, as well as in the Mediterranean, where known native predators are still few. At the same time, ants usually do not harm H. halys eggs, which are the target of the main biological control agents, the scelionid parasitoids of the genus Trissolcus. However, ants, as generalist predators and territorial organisms, may kill or displace a variety of other insects, potentially interfering with parasitoids and biological control programmes. We conducted laboratory experiments to investigate the interactions between the Mediterranean ant Crematogaster scutellaris and the parasitoids T. japonicus and T. mitsukurii, evaluating the possibility that the ants could damage the parasitized eggs, attack the parasitoids during emergence or interfere with the egg‐laying behaviour of female parasitoids. Our results demonstrate that C. scutellaris is not able to damage parasitized eggs and is not aggressive towards adult parasitoids at any stage. The presence of ants can slow down the parasitization rate in T. mitsukurii females in the smallest laboratory setups; however, this has not been observed in a more natural setting. We suggest that ants may play a complementary role together with egg‐parasitoids in the control of H. halys without interfering with each other.

Phenotypic plasticity in an egg parasitoid affects olfactory response to odors from the plant–host complex

Female egg parasitoids must optimize their ability to find a suitable host for reproduction in a limited foraging time. Odorant cues associated with the plant–host complex play an essential role in guiding females toward the host. However, parasitoid response is not always identical within the same genotype, and it could be influenced by the environment. This phenotypic plasticity affects parasitoid behavior and morphology and is directly linked to rearing conditions. Yet, how plasticity influences olfactory responses of egg parasitoids toward plant–host odors is largely unexplored. Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is an effective biocontrol agent of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Laboratory no-choice and choice tests showed T. japonicus potential to develop in eggs of non-target Pentatomidae. In Y-tube olfactometer we evaluated the olfactory responses of T. japonicus reared on different hosts toward plant–host derived volatiles associated with H. halys and two other stink bug species. Parasitoids reared on the main host H. halys positively responded only to odors from V. faba–H. halys complex. When reared on alternative hosts, T. japonicus was smaller and did not exhibit attraction to any stimuli, although egg load was only partially affected. Host-induced phenotypic plasticity should be considered when evaluating parasitoids for classical biological control.

Distribution and prevalence of viral genomes in Italian populations of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys

Halyomorpha halys (Stål), the brown marmorated stink bug, is a highly invasive insect species that causes significant agricultural losses, especially to orchard fruits, vegetables, herbaceous and ornamental plants. It is also a nuisance pest that seeks shelter in indoor spaces during the winter months. Harnessing the H. halys virome can result in new environmentally sustainable approaches to contain its populations and its relatated agricultural damages.In this study, RNA-Seq data were used to explore the virome associated to ten field populations collected in the Lombardy region in Northern Italy. We identified six complete viral genomes, three of which were previously unknown, belonging to the orders Reovirales, Articulavirales, Ghabrivirales, Durnavirales, and Picornavirales. The prevalence of the six viruses was evaluated by Real-time reverse transcription-quantitative PCR on eighty individuals. Halyomorpha halys ifla-like virus 2 turned out to be the most geographically widespread virus, as it was found in more than 50% of the analyzed insects and in nine out of the ten sampling locations. Moreover, in some individuals, this iflavirus was found in association with each of the other viruses in various combinations that involved up to four viruses. Further studies on such virus-virus interactions and their relationships with the insect host may open the possibility to exploit these naturally occurring viruses as specific and targeted biocontrol agents of H. halys.

Seasonal density and natural mortality of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) and indigenous stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in a field crop agroecosystem.

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), including the exotic Halyomorpha halys (Stål), Nezara viridula (L.), and other indigenous species, are pests that damage a variety of agricultural crops. At a study site in the southeastern United States, we measured the density of stink bug species and patterns of parasitism and predation on corn, cotton, and soybean and host trees in an adjacent woodline. We assessed parasitism and predation of naturally laid egg masses in crops and sentinel egg masses in host trees and used pheromone-baited traps to determine H. halys seasonal development. Overall, H. halys and N. viridula were the dominant bugs observed. Adult H. halys were first detected each year on trees, followed by corn, and then cotton and soybean, suggesting that trees served as a source of H. halys dispersing into crops. For H. halys, more nymphs were captured in soybean than in corn or cotton. For N. viridula, more adults were captured in corn and cotton than in soybean, and more nymphs were captured in corn during 2019 and 2021 than in 2020. Percentage parasitism of N. viridula egg masses (74.2%) was higher than than that for H. halys egg masses (54.3%). Accordingly, conservation biological control has the potential to enhance parasitism of indigenous stink bugs and H. halys in field crop agroecosystems.

Evidence for Vector Transmission of the Blueberry Pathogen Exobasidium maculosum, Cause of Exobasidium Leaf and Fruit Spot

Exobasidium leaf and fruit spot of blueberry, caused by Exobasidium maculosum, results in significant yield losses if not properly managed. To determine if an arthropod is involved in transmission, we conducted arthropod exclusion and trapping studies at two field sites in Georgia from 2018 to 2020. In each field, 10 pairs of potted trap plants were placed under blueberry bushes for 2 weeks during the known infection window in early spring. In each pair, one potted plant was covered with exclusion nets before being taken to the field, and the other was left uncovered. The covered plants developed significantly fewer leaf spots (mean = 2) than the uncovered plants (mean = 128), indicating that an agent necessary for infection was excluded. To identify possible vectors, a variety of traps were used to collect arthropods in both fields during the known infection window. A total of 181 insects were selected from traps, then crushed and plated on potato dextrose agar to assess for growth of E. maculosum. A species-specific PCR assay was developed and conducted to test for E. maculosum. We recovered E. maculosum from one gall midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and detected it in three additional insects by PCR. One could not be identified, and two were two long-legged flies (Diptera: Dolichopodidae). Bioassays with spotted-wing drosophila ( Drosophila suzukii) and brown marmorated stink bugs ( Halyomorpha halys) did not show transmission of the disease. Although we did not conclusively identify specific vectors, we provide evidence of vector involvement in transmission of E. maculosum. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .

Seasonal Dynamics of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in Apple Orchards of Western Slovenia Using Two Trap Types

The invasive Halyomorpha halys is a serious pest for several fruit trees, causing millions of dollars of crop damage every year across the world’s major fruit-growing regions. Once established in an orchard, H. halys quickly becomes the predominant stink bug species and is a major season-long pest. Annual increases in the population size of H. halys have resulted in increased pest pressure and a growing risk of severe crop damage. Reliable monitoring is indispensable for H. halys control and management, providing comprehensive information on the seasonality of pest population dynamics, abundance, and interaction with the environment, and is essential for the successful implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to prevent crop damage. Our study followed the seasonal population dynamics of H. halys in three apple orchards in the Goriška region of western Slovenia over the period 2019–2021. Pherocon® Dual Panel Adhesive Traps (Trece Inc.) and pyramidal Rescue® Stink Bug Traps, both baited with Trécé lures (two-component H. halys aggregation pheromone + pheromone synergist), were used to monitor H. halys adults and nymphs weekly from late March to the end of November. Captures taken with both types of trap clearly describe the seasonal dynamics of H. halys, with the first occurrence of overwintering adults in April and May, and with two peak occurrences in adults, in the middle of summer and in the beginning of autumn, corresponding to the appearance of two generations per year in the study area. The growing trap captures observed during the 3-year monitoring period suggest that H. halys was only recently introduced to the area and that natural enemies have not yet been fully recruited. Pyramid traps captured significantly more adults and nymphs than clear sticky traps and provided accurate monitoring of H. halys life stages throughout the season. Regardless of the lower trap catches of adults and juveniles, clear sticky traps clearly displayed H. halys seasonal dynamics pattern. Therefore, their use is recommended as an early detection tool in areas where pests are not yet present, or in areas with small H. halys populations. Halyomorpha halys adult trap captures were higher in Šempeter orchards, within areas of great landscape diversity and a large share of urban land. The seasonal dynamics of H. halys over the 3-year period were closely related to weather conditions, with temperature and relative humidity as the major factors affecting population growth.

Features and dynamics of species composition of entomoacarosystems in plum orchards

The long-term analysis of the entomocomplex of plum orchards, carried out in Krasnodar Territory, revealed variations in the quantitative composition of entomofauna of harmful species and the level of their harmfulness. It was established that, in the period from 2005 to 2021, the rotation of dominant and secondary species occurred. The main species included plum Grapholitha funebrana Treitschke and oriental Grapholitha molesta Busck fruit moths, plum black Haploca minuta Christ. and yellow Hoplocampa flava L. sawflies, plum aphid Hyalopterus pruni Geoffr. and twospotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch. Associated species included plum gall Acalitus phloeocoptes (Nal.) and hawthorn Tetranuchus viennensis Zacher. mites, fruit-tree Tibicina haematodes Scopoli and citrus flatid Metcalfa pruinosa (Say) planthoppers and leaf roller moths of Tortricidae family. The group characterised by a limited distribution area includes the Californian Quadraspidiotus perniciosus Comst. and Turanian Diaspidiotus prunorum Laing. scales, plum Sphaerolecanium prunastri Fonsc and European brown Parthenolecanium corni Bouche. scales, seed wasps Eurytoma amygdali End., brown marmorated stinkbug Halyomorpha halys (Stål) and secondary insects (unequal bark beetle Xyleborus dispar F., fruit tree bark beetle Scolytus rugulosus (P.W.J. Müller), wood leopard moth Zeuzera pyrina L). When considering the structure formation of phytophage complex according to phylogenetic specialization, taking into account trophic relationships, it was established that the proportion of polyphages is 2.5 times higher than that of oligophages and 8.5 times higher than that of monophages from the total number of registered pest species. In the past decade, a reduction of pesticide load in plum agrocenoses has been observed due to the wider use of agrotechnical methods and the inclusion of bioregulatory and biological insecticides into protection systems, which contributed to the preservation and increase of beneficial fauna. Entomophages constitute 7–10% of the total number of entomoacrocenosis dominated by Hymenoptera and Coleoptera classes and mites of Acari subclass. The long-term monitoring of species composition, rotation of dominant and secondary pest species and entomophages, variations in their number and harmfulness, seasonal dynamics, trophic relationships of plum entomoacrocenosis under varying environmental conditions and increasing intensification of agricultural production expand the possibility of phytosanitary optimisation strategy of perennial agrocenoses in the south of Russia. This contributes to the preservation of regional biodiversity, as well as to the stable production of high-quality ecologically safe products with minimal negative impact on the environment.

Combining Irradiation and Biological Control against Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: Are Sterile Eggs a Suitable Substrate for the Egg Parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus?

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys, is a phytophagous invasive pest native to south-eastern Asia, and it is now distributed worldwide. This species is considered to be one of the most damaging insect pests in North America and in Europe. In agriculture, the predominant approach to managing BMSB is based on the use of insecticides, specifically pyrethroids and neonicotinoids. Unfortunately, the biology of the species and its facility to develop mechanisms of resistance to available pesticides has induced farmers and scientists to develop different, least-toxic, and more effective strategies of control. In a territorial area-wide approach, the use of a classical biological control program in combination with other least-toxic strategies has been given prominent consideration. Following exploratory surveys in the native range, attention has focused on Trissolcus japonicus, a small scelionid egg parasitoid wasp that is able to oviposit and complete its larval development in a single egg of H. halys. A common method for detecting egg parasitoids in the native range involves the placement of so-called 'sentinel' egg masses of the pest in the environment for a short period, which are then returned to the laboratory to determine if any of them are parasitized. Outside of the area of origin, the use of fertile sentinel eggs of the alien species may lead to the further release of the pest species; an alternative is to use sterile sentinel eggs to record the presence of new indigenous egg parasitoids or to detect the dispersal of alien species (in this case, T. japonicus) released in a new environment to control the target insect pest species. This study evaluated the performance of three types of sterile sentinel eggs as a suitable substrate for the oviposition and larval development of the egg parasitoid T. japonicus in a context of combining classical biological control with a Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) approach.

Salivary protein expression profiles of five species of Pentatomidae (Hemiptera)

Abstract Stink bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) development typically requires feeding on a diversity of plant species and various plant tissues. During feeding, stink bugs discharge salivary enzymes with roles in extraoral digestion and countering plant defense responses. Although previous research has described digestive salivary proteins from stink bugs, less is known of the salivary proteins involved in the suppression of plant defenses. We sequenced the transcriptomes of salivary glands dissected from five stink bug species collected from non-crop habitats in Washington: Halyomorpha halys (Stål), Nezara viridula L., Euschistus conspersus (Uhler), Thyanta pallidovirens (Stål), and Chlorochroa ligata (Say). We identified a total of 677 candidate secreted proteins from the salivary glands of the five species. Based on work from other insects, many of the proteins have potential functions in the suppression of plant defense signaling and deactivation of plant defense molecules. We also identified salivary proteins with potential roles in the extraoral digestion of plant tissues, protection from entomopathogens, and deposition of salivary sheaths. This report provides a curation of putative salivary effector genes for further functional analysis.

Habitat and vertical stratification affect capture of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and biological control of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug.

Spatiotemporal distribution of stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and their natural enemies across farmscapes has been studied in more detail recently. However, the impact of plant height on vertical stratification of stink bugs and their natural enemies is rarely addressed across these diverse habitats. In this study, we examined capture of native stink bugs, the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål)(Hemiptera:Pentatomidae), and a predaceous wasp, Astata occidentalis Cresson (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) in pheromone-baited traps, in 2 habitats, woodlands of mostly deciduous trees mixed with some conifers and pecan orchards, in addition to their vertical stratification (0-13.7 m) at increasing heights. Furthermore, the effects of canopy height and habitat on H. halys egg mass predation and parasitism were evaluated. Adult H. halys were abundant in both habitats, but more nymphs were captured in pecan orchards. The same pattern was found for adult Euschistus servus (Say) (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae), Thyanta custator McAtee (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae), and A. occidentalis. In contrast, adult E. tristigmus (Say) (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae) and Chinavia hilaris (Say) (Hemiptera:Pentatomidae) were more abundant in woodlands. More nymphal H. halys and adults of E. servus, T. custator, and A. occidentalis were captured in ground traps than canopy traps in pecan. More adult and nymphal H. halys were captured at varying heights in the woodland canopy compared to near the ground as were adult E. tristigmus and C. hilaris. Both parasitism and predation occurred in woodland and pecan canopies. However, in one test we found that parasitism of H. halys egg masses occurred more often in the upper tree canopy, and more parasitism was detected in woodland than orchard habitat. In 2 tests, predation was higher in woodlands than pecan orchards. These results will aid in optimizing conservation biological control tactics in these habitats.

Dichromacy in the brown marmorated stink bug? Spectral sensitivity of the compound eyes and phototaxis of Halyomorpha halys

AbstractThe brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) is an invasive pest insect species, which was recently introduced from Asia to America and then to Europe. Besides causing serious damage in agriculture, this species also represents a source of intense annoyance for humans in residential areas, because large amounts of individuals can aggregate on buildings while seeking shelter before overwintering. Taking into account the need for pesticide-free pest management methods, for example light trapping, we measured the spectral sensitivity of the compound eyes of H. halys with electroretinography (ERG). In behavioural experiments, we also quantified the attraction of H. halys to 14 quasi-monochromatic light stimuli in the 368–743 nm spectral range. The dark-adapted compound eyes were mostly sensitive to the green range, but a minor sensitivity peak in the UV region was also identified. Recordings on chromatic-adapted eye preparations unequivocally revealed the presence of only a green- and a UV-sensitive photoreceptor type, with sensitivity maxima at 519 nm and 367 nm, respectively. No sign of any blue-sensitive receptor was detected, and thus only a receptor set allowing dichromatic vision was found. Based on the results of the behavioural experiments, we established that the attraction of H. halys to light is increasing with decreasing wavelength, and thus we emphasize the importance of short wavelength lights (368–455 nm) when phototactic attraction of H. halys is the aim.

Effect of exclusion net timing of deployment and color on Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) infestation in pear and apple orchards

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive pest species native to East Asia that has become the major pest for many crops, causing serious economic damage. The occurrence of this invasive pest leads to an increase in broad-spectrum insecticides applications, often with limited results in H. halys management. Exclusion netting based on insect-proof nets is considered an environmentally friendly tactic that may potentially reduce H. halys infestation and damage. In a first experiment, during two growing seasons we investigated whether the timing of exclusion netting deployment affected season-long H. halys infestation and impact on apple and pear production. A second experiment considered the effect of netting color. Our results confirm that insect-proof nettings are effective in controlling H. halys infestations in fruit orchards, also observing an effect of timing of netting deployment on H. halys adult infestation, especially in apple orchards. Netting deployment could be delayed until the growing fruit phase on pear orchards, while on apple orchards it should be performed at flower fading phase. Brown marmorated stink bug infestation and damage were also influenced by the netting color, with black nets having higher infestation levels and fruit damage than white ones. Within an integrated pest management framework, early net deployment and the use of clear color nettings should be considered to reduce H. halys infestation and its damage in pome fruit crops.

Low Incidence of Avian Predation on the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in Southeastern Orchard Systems.

In many agroecosystems, brown marmorated stink bugs (Halyomorpha halys) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are polyphagous pests that cause significant economic losses to numerous crops every year. Insectivorous birds may provide a means of sustainable predation of invasive pests, such as H. halys. In forest margins surrounding peach, pecan, and interplanted peach-pecan orchards, we monitored H. halys populations with pheromone-baited traps, mist-netted birds, and collected avian fecal samples for molecular gut content analysis. We screened 257 fecal samples from 19 bird species for the presence of H. halys DNA to determine whether birds provide the biological control of this pest. Overall, we found evidence that four birds from three species consumed H. halys, including Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalisis), Tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), and Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). Halyomorpha halys captured in traps increased over time but did not vary by orchard type. Although incidence of predation was low, this may be an underestimate as a result of our current avian fecal sampling methodology. Because birds are members of the broader food web, future studies are needed to understand avian ecosystem services, especially in terms of pest control, including H. halys and other pest species.

First Record of Native Egg Parasitoid, Anastatus bifasciatus, on Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Eggs in Türkiye

Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), is an alien invasive pest that originated from South Asia (China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea) Many studies have shown that the number of invasions by pests has increased significantly in the last 5 centuries and the reason for this situation is directly related to human activities. Halyomorpha halys is considered to be a dangerous pest insect species due to economic losses in agricultural areas of the countries where it is distributed. It has been observed that the pest can have 1–2 generations per year and each egg mass contains of an average of 28 eggs and, furthermore, causes significant losses in many crops such as bean, hazelnut and pear. This study was conducted between July and August in 6 different areas and a total of 18 egg masses that were thought parasitized were collected from grape vine, tree of heaven, kiwi and hazelnut trees ) BMSB infested fields and kept in tubes to determine if they had parasitoids. Emerged parasitoids were fed with the 10% honey water solution and bred in tubes. In this study, Anastatus bifasciatus (Geoffroy) (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) was recorded as the first parasitoid of Halyomorpha halys in Türkiye.

Purification of acetylcholinesterase from Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) and management of control of the Pest through inhibition of the enzyme

Purification of acetylcholinesterase from Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) and management of control of the Pest through inhibition of the enzyme

Diversity, domain duplication, birth‐and‐death and adaptive evolution of fatty acyl‐CoA reductase genes in Hemiptera

AbstractFatty acyl‐CoA reductases (FARs) play an important role in the synthesis of fatty alcohols in various organisms. Based on the important function of FAR genes, they can be used as a potential molecular target for controlling agricultural pests. Although the FAR genes have been studied in a number of insects, the gain, loss, and molecular evolution of FAR genes between different Hemipteran species still require comprehensive and systematic study. This study systematically identified and analysed 352 FAR genes from 12 Hemipteran species, including six typical true bug species, Cimex lectularius, Apolygus lucorum, Halyomorpha halys, Oncopeltus fasciatus, Rhodnius prolixus and Gerris buenoi. The number of FAR genes per species ranged from 17 to 43, and a phylogenetic analysis showed that the identified FAR genes of Hemiptera can be classified into 11 clades. The gain and loss of FAR genes have occurred in some Hemipteran species. These FAR genes conform to the birth‐and‐death model in the evolutionary process. Through selection pressure analysis, we determined that G. buenoi in clade 11 evolved under the pressure of positive selection, with the evolutionary sites of A at position 214 and T at position 451, thus clarifying the differences in amino acids among species and providing a better understanding of the molecular evolutionary mechanism of Hemipteran FAR. In addition, structural analysis of the FAR genes revealed duplication of the two conservative domains, the Rossmann‐fold domain and the sterile domain, of the FAR in four species, namely Bemisia tabaci, Diaphorina citri, R. prolixus and Trialeurodes vaporariorum. This study lays a foundation for further studies on the molecular functions of Hemiptera FAR, and provides a possible new target for the control of Hemiptera, especially the stink bugs.