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BACKGROUND: The use of DNA metabarcoding has become an increasingly popular technique to infer feeding relationships in polyphagous herbivores and predators. Understanding host plant preference of native and invasive herbivore insects can be helpful in establishing effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. The invasive Halyomorpha halys and native Pentatoma rufipes are piercing‐sucking stink bug pests that are known to cause economic damage in commercial fruit orchards. RESULTS: In this study, we performed molecular gut content analysis (MGCA) on field‐collected specimens of these two herbivorous pentatomids using next‐generation amplicon sequencing (NGAS) of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) barcode region. Additionally, a laboratory experiment was set up where H. halys was switched from a mixed diet to a monotypic diet, allowing us to determine the detectability of the initial diet in a time series of ≤3 days after the diet switch. We detected 68 unique plant species from 54 genera in the diet of two stink bug species, with fewer genera found per sample and a smaller diet breadth for P. rufipes than for H. halys. Both stink bug species generally prefer deciduous trees over gymnosperms and herbaceous plants. Landscape type significantly impacted the observed genera in the diet of both stink bug species, whereas season only had a significant effect on the diet of H. halys. CONCLUSION: This study provides further insights into the dietary composition of two polyphagous pentatomid pests and illustrates that metabarcoding can deliver a relevant species‐level resolution of host plant preference. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Halyomorpha halys is a major pest of concern for many tree crops, such as pome and stone fruits. Currently, the management of this pest relies mainly on insecticides. The male-produced aggregation pheromone of H. halys showed promising results in attracting adults and nymphs, opening possibilities to develop new low-input insecticide management techniques. Our study demonstrated that traps baited with H. halys aggregation pheromone, when placed along the borders of an apple orchard, caused a shift in the spatial distribution of fruit damage. Although the overall fruit damage was not reduced, fruit damage significantly concentrated near the border treated with the traps. Limiting insecticide treatments to a small area near the orchard border, where insects are aggregated, can maximize the efficacy while reducing relevant side effects. Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive pest causing significant damage to tree crops. Our study examined the impact of newly designed aggregation pheromone-baited 'mini–sailboat' (MSB) traps for controlling H. halys and its effect on the spatial distribution of fruit damage. Four replicates of four traps, with a total of 16 MSB traps, were placed along a 1.3 km border of apple orchards, concentrating the traps on one side of the orchards. A fruit damage assessment for incidence and severity was conducted at increasing distances from the orchard border where the traps were placed, encompassing 107 assessment points. Our study showed that deploying MSB traps along the orchard border significantly increased fruit damage within the first 45 m compared to control plots without traps. However, beyond the first 45 m from the border, there was a significant reduction in damage incidence. In the treated plots, 50% of the damage occurred within 26 m of the traps, while in control plots, within 85 m. Shifting the fruit damage pattern means restricting the pests lingering in a narrow strip near the MSB traps, which paves the way for improved techniques to restructure the crop perimeter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive pest which feeds on numerous economically significant crops. Many integrated pest management strategies for this species rely on effective season-long monitoring for H. halys populations, including attract-and-kill and threshold-based insecticide sprays. Previous studies have shown that a black pyramid trap effectively captures all mobile life stages of H. halys , however, these bulky, ground-deployed traps can be impractical in active orchard rows. Clear sticky cards have been used as a more practical tool for monitoring when paired with the H. halys aggregation pheromone and synergist. Here, the efficacy of deploying single- or double-sided sticky cards hanging in trees or deployed on wooden stakes was compared to standard black pyramid traps over 2 years. The efficacy of single-sided sticky cards deployed on wooden stakes was also evaluated after occlusion of 25%, 50%, or 75% of the surface area by 2D inert materials and 3D organic matter. Single-sided sticky cards were also exposed to simulated sunlight and rainfall for 0, 4, 8, and 12 wk before deployment on wooden stakes. Captures of H. halys adults using sticky cards deployed on wooden stakes were comparable to pyramid traps. Occlusion of cards by 25% or more of any material type led to a decrease in H. halys captures, however, weathering did not influence capture. These data show that clear sticky cards deployed on wooden stakes are effective for season-long monitoring of H. halys in apple orchards, and card replacement should be driven by maintenance of cleanliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Halyomorpha halys, the brown marmorated stink bug, is an invasive insect pest that in the last two decades became a major problem for several agricultural commodities, including kiwifruit. Its management relies on integrating different control methods, including board-spectrum insecticides. Nevertheless, chemical control measures may not achieve satisfactory results and there is still margin for improvement, considering for instance the optimization of the spray technique. This problem is even more relevant in kiwifruit due to its peculiar training system, which reduce fruit exposure to insecticide sprays. In this study, two spray techniques were tested to maximize the insecticides efficacy in controlling H. halys in both yellow- and green-flesh kiwifruit cultivars ('Jintao' and 'Hayward'). The effects of a conventional ray atomizer and a trumpet-modified atomizer, which localizes insecticide applications in the fruit area, were assessed on H. halys mortality (with artificial infestations) and fruit damage (due to H. halys naturally occurring in the orchards). The localized spray technique resulted in an overall significantly higher H. halys mortality in 'Hayward', but not in 'Jintao' cultivar. This is likely due to differences in the canopy size and structure of these cultivars. However, the fruit injury level was not different between the spray techniques. Further investigations in this direction are needed also to assess the efficiency of localized spray technique in reducing the insecticide rates, in accordance with European strategies that foreseen restrictions in the authorized active substances usage. Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) cultivation is expanding worldwide, with China, New Zealand, and Italy being the major producing countries. Halyomorpha halys, the brown marmorated stink bug, is raising serious concerns to kiwifruit cultivation both in China and Italy. This study aimed at improving the chemical control efficacy against this pest by comparing two insecticide spray techniques (a conventional ray atomizer and a trumpet-modified atomizer adapted for localized spray application) in kiwifruit. In fact, kiwifruit is often grown with a 'pergola' training system, which may reduce the effectiveness of insecticide penetration into the canopy. Experiments were performed in naturally infested orchards of both Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis 'Jintao' and A. chinensis var. deliciosa 'Hayward'. Furthermore, mesh cages containing H. halys adults were deployed within orchards to assess the insects' mortality at 1, 3, 7, and 10 days after an insecticide application with two spray techniques during two consecutive seasons. In the cultivar 'Jintao', the two systems performed similarly, while in the cultivar 'Hayward', an overall significantly higher insect mortality was recorded with the trumpet atomizer (94–100%) compared to the conventional atomizer (59–78%). Crop damage was also evaluated on both cultivars, simulating the grower insecticide applications with the two spray techniques. At harvest, no difference emerged between the spray techniques, which provided a significantly better protection compared to the untreated control (12–17% compared to 33–47% of injured fruits). Further investigations in this direction are needed also considering the restriction of insecticidal active substances ongoing in the European Union and the need to maximize the efficacy of the available tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between phytophagous insects and plants is a central aspect of food webs and ecosystem functioning. The introduction of new species into an environment can have significant impacts on the food web of a native ecosystem. In many cases, there is a lack of knowledge on the biology and feeding behavior of invasive species prior their introduction and in the invaded regions. Gut content analyses of insects have provided valuable information on the host spectrum of insects. However, current approaches are time‐consuming and costly. Here, we describe a new molecular gut content analysis (GCA) approach using the Oxford Nanopore (ONT) Flongle sequencing platform to characterize the plant DNA present in the gut of the highly polyphagous insect species Halyomorpha halys. We demonstrate that this technique efficiently amplifies and correctly identifies plant DNA in a mock community. We performed a feeding experiment to determine the sensitivity of this approach and to assess how long the plant DNA can be detected. All plants used in the feeding experiment were correctly identified and detected after 56 days. Surprisingly, we also detected various plant genera that were not included in the feeding experiment and thus were likely ingested months before the experiment. Our study suggests that the GCA using the ONT Flongle sequencing platform represents a rapid and cost‐efficient diagnosis of the dietary preferences, host range, and the diversity of consumed plant species of pest insects with high precision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect pests are serious threats to agriculture, forestry, and human health because they damage crops and trees and spread diseases. Chemical insecticides control insect pests quickly and effectively, protecting crops. Environmental and health concerns arise from their use. Long‐term exposure can cause pesticide‐resistant insects, requiring stronger chemicals. Beneficial insects and wildlife may be harmed. Some chemical insecticides persist in the environment, causing long‐term ecological damage. The present study was to isolate, identify, and characterize entomopathogenic fungi from the soil, evaluate their pathogenicity against major insect species, and evaluate the non‐target effect on soil bioindicator species. Bioassay results show that Beauveria bassiana conidia are more pathogenic to all three species at 10 days after treatment, causing 100% mortality in Halyomorpha halys and Tenebrio molitor within 10 days. The lethal concentration showed lower LC50 values of 9.5 × 103 conidia/mL in H. halys, 2.6 × 103 conidia/mL in T. molitor, and 8.3×104 conidia/mL in P. japonica, B. bassiana treatment results showed a shortened insect life time LT50 of H. halys (6.0 days), T. molitor (5.3 days), and P. japonica (6.9 days). The present study concluded that B. bassiana fungi conidia are more efficient against three major insect pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halyomorpha halys, represents a significant threat to a diverse array of agricultural crops. The most prevalent method of control employed against H. halys in integrated fruit production is the use of chemical insecticides. Because of environmental concerns that arise from pesticide use, there is a pressing demand to identify alternative and more sustainable control measures that could serve as a potential substitute or supplement to conventional insecticides. Against this background, entomopathogenic fungi can be seen as a potential management tool worthy of further investigation. In the present study, the effects of egg spray treatments with two Beauveria bassiana-based mycopesticides and conidial suspensions of B. bassiana, B. pseudobassiana, Metarhizium brunneum and M. robertsii isolates were investigated under constant laboratory conditions (25 °C, 65% RH, 16L:8D). Egg hatching rate and nymphal mortality were recorded. Treatment of eggs with the selected fungi resulted in reduced nymph survival compared to a water-treated control. The fungal treatments did not significantly affect hatching success but increased mortality of first instar nymphs, with average mortality rates between 70% and 100% during development from egg to imago. The efficacy of the investigated fungi was demonstrated to be high under specific laboratory conditions, indicating a potential suitability of these fungi as biocontrol agents.

Simple Summary: The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is causing extensive losses in agricultural products, especially tree fruit crops. Attract-and-kill (AK) strategies, which drive pests out of the cash crop to a circumscribed area where control interventions are applied, could be a more sustainable method for suppressing BMSBs while reducing the use of pesticides. This study assessed the effectiveness of an AK strategy against the BMSBs on pear, comparing sites with and without AK stations, consisting of pheromone lures coupled with insecticide-treated nets. The BMSB abundance was monitored using monitoring traps, and the fruit damage was recorded at harvest. In spring and early summer, the AK stations did not decrease pest density nor the fruit damage. Instead, after harvest, fewer BMSBs were detected in the AK sites than in sites without AK stations. Whilst this study supports the efficacy of the lures, the killing method needs to be refined and improved. The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is causing extensive economic losses in tree fruit crops. Including attract-and-kill (AK) strategies targeting BMSBs in an integrated pest management framework could reduce the amounts of insecticides sprayed and benefit growers, consumers and the environment. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an area-wide AK strategy across an intensive fruticulture region of Northern Italy, comparing four paired pear sites with and without two AK stations ha−1. These stations consisted of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets containing alpha-cypermethrin, baited with the BMSB aggregation pheromone and synergist. BMSB abundance was estimated using black-standing monitoring traps, and fruit damage upon harvest was recorded across all sites. The AK stations did not decrease the BMSB abundance nor the fruit damage, while after harvest significantly lower BMSB captures were detected in the AK sites compared to the control sites. Whilst the lures' efficacy was corroborated by this research, the killing method requires improvement and refinement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An online survey was conducted from June 2018 to March 2021 to elicit information from commercial farmers and growers on the economic impact of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) (Halyomorpha halys (Stål)) on agriculture and their attitudes towards adopting various alternative management practices, including use of Trissolcus japonicus as a biocontrol agent. Most respondents reported that BMSB reduced the profitability of their operation, with the largest impacts coming from reduced quality and increased spray cost. Improved monitoring techniques and natural enemies have the greatest probability to be used to manage BMSB, while tactics like attract and kill, border sprays, repellents, trap crops and netting were less likely to be adopted. Further analysis using ordered logistic and tobit regression models shows that the factors that influence potential adoption vary significantly for each management practice. This suggests that adoption efforts for alternate management practices should focus on the attributes of specific commodity groups and targeted educational programmes may be required to overcome the resistance of growers using conventional growing practices. Several variables have a consistent impact on the respondent's willingness to pay for a T. japonicus‐based biocontrol including being a commercial producer (positive impact), use of conventional growing practices (negative) and increased concern about the impact of BMSB (positive). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, a new phenomenon of early olive drop is causing production losses in olive groves throughout northern Italy. To analyze the possible causes, field and laboratory trials were performed to assess the involvement of fungal pathogens and insect pests in this disease. External and internal symptoms of fungal infections or insect-feeding activities were researched. Fungi present in healthy and dislodged olives were investigated. The relationship between olives that fell and Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) infestation was assessed in a controlled infestation trial, and the effectiveness of an insecticidal strategy in reducing early olive drop was tested in open field conditions. A comparable number of fungi, mostly endophytes, were isolated and identified from both healthy and dislodged olives. The damage observed on dislodged olives was primarily ascribed to pentatomids feeding activity. Six stink bugs species were found in olive canopies, that is, the invasive H. halys , which was by far the most abundant, and Acrosternum heegeri Fieber, Nezara viridula (Linnaeus), Palomena prasina (Linnaeus), Piezodorus lituratus (Fabricious), and Rhaphigaster nebulosa (Poda). Halyomorpha halys caused intense fruit drop in the controlled infestation trial, and its infestation level significantly correlated with the number of olives that fell. Native stink bugs, present in much lower population compared to H. halys , could also partially contribute to early drop of olives. Insect proof net significantly reduced the early olive drop disease, while insecticide applications only partially reduced the stink bugs population density and, proportionally, early olive drop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Halyomorpha halys is one of the most damaging invasive agricultural pests in North America and southern Europe. It is commonly monitored using pheromone traps, which are not very effective because few bugs are caught and some escape and/or remain outside the trap on surrounding plants where they feed, increasing the damage. Other monitoring techniques are based on visual sampling, sweep‐netting and tree‐beating. However, all these methods require several hours of human labor and are difficult to apply to large areas. The aim of this work is to develop an automated monitoring system that integrates image acquisition through the use of drones with H. halys detection through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). RESULTS: The study results allowed the development of an automated flight protocol using a mobile app to capture high‐resolution images. The drone caused only low levels of disturbance in both adult and intermediate instars, inducing freezing behavior in adults. Each of the AI models used achieved very good performance, with a detection accuracy of up to 97% and recall of up to 87% for the X‐TL model. CONCLUSION: The first application of this novel monitoring system demonstrated the potential of drones and AI to detect and quantify the presence of H. halys. The ability to capture high‐altitude, high‐resolution images makes this method potentially suitable for use with a range of crops and pests. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855), native to East Asia, is an extremely polyphagous pest that infests more than 300 plant species from 49 families. In Europe and North America, this pest causes enormous damage to the production of economically important crops (tree fruit, vegetables, field crops, and ornamental plants). Global warming favours its spread, as the rise in temperature results in the appearance of further generations of the pest. Halyomorpha halys (nymph and adult) causes damage typical of the Pentatomidae family by attacking host plants throughout their development (buds, stems, fruits, and pods). Ripe fruits are often disfigured, and later suberification and necrotic spots form on the fruit surface, making them accessible to plant pathogens that cause fruit rot and rendering them unmarketable. The increasing global importance of the pest suggests that more coordinated measures are needed to contain its spread. Understanding the biology and ecology of this species is crucial for the development of reliable monitoring and management strategies. Most insecticides available for the control of H. halys have a broad spectrum of modes of action and are not compatible with most integrated pest management systems, so biological control by natural enemies has recently been emphasised. Preventing excessive population growth requires early identification and effective control measures that can be developed quickly and applied rapidly while respecting the environment. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the latest findings on the global distribution of this important pest, its potential spread, biology and ecology, key host plants of economic importance, monitoring methods, and effective biological control strategies, as well as future perspectives for sustainable H. halys control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological control is often a key component of management strategies for invasive species. Yet, the effectiveness of biological control can be limited by a poor understanding of natural enemy ecology. To overcome this, habitat suitability models can predict distributions of invasive species and identify areas of potential overlap between invaders and natural enemies to guide biological control. Here we used data from a coordinated national monitoring network and a novel modeling method that incorporates physiology into correlative niche models to predict potential distributions of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, and two natural enemies (a parasitoid, Trissolcus japonicus, and a microsporidian, Nosema maddoxi) in current and future climates (2070s). We show all three species have broad similarity in habitat suitability, with especially high overlap in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern US where H. halys populations were first established. Each species will likely expand their range across the northern US in the future, but the overlap between species may decrease. In much of the central and southeastern US, H. halys may decrease its range over time, although natural enemies may be less impacted, and overlap between species may increase. Our study shows that biological control provided by T. japonicus and N. maddoxi could be key for managing H. halys given their overlapping niches, and our models can aid in delineating areas where biocontrol may be most effective. Our method of linking field data with correlative niche models can also be used for other insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Kiwifruit cultivation since the 1980s has historically played a fundamental financial role, especially for the income of rural areas of Greece, which now is one of the top exporters globally. The incursion of non-indigenous pest species is becoming an issue for the cultivation of kiwi that cannot be easily addressed because the use of chemical insecticides, on the one hand, must be limited, and on the other, they are not always effective against non-target insects. The invasion of the Halyomorpha halys pest into some Greek areas recently exhibited these challenges, as it significantly affects kiwifruit production, although there is no targeted way of combating it. In this study, we tried to limit the Halyomorpha halys population by using a commercial entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) Beauveria bassiana in kiwifruit cultivation; we also studied the biostimulant effect of this strain on plant growth. The entomopathogenic fungus ultimately dually reveals benefits for kiwifruit cultivation: as a bioinsecticide and as a biostimulant. The use of the EPF formulations may bring solutions to deal with some newly introduced entomological pests of kiwi in Greece, with a side benefit of its use being the biostimulant effect. In this study, the bioinsecticidal action of a commercial formulation with Beauveria bassiana was evaluated on the new sucking pest in Greece: Halyomorpha halys, of the kiwifruit. Additionally, the biostimulant potential of the same formulation was studied on kiwi growth. The application was performed in three different ways in a commercial field of kiwi crop A. deliciosa "Hayward" field in Arta, Greece: (i) trunk spray, (ii) root injection, and (iii) trunk inoculation. During the 2 years seasons of the experiment, weekly measurements of the H. halys population were determined. The insect is sucking plants nutrients; therefore, the total chlorophyll content in the leaves of the treatments was recorded weekly. In addition, the percentage of infested kiwifruits was estimated at the end of the experiment. Moreover, to study the biostimulant potential of the formulation, growth measurements on stems and leaves were performed during the experiment. Finally, at the kiwi harvest point, the fruit biomass, dimensions, and weight were obtained, and the leaves' proline content was evaluated. The results encourage us to further study this EPF formulation as the bioinsecticidal effect was noted by the reduction in H. halys population, and biostimulant action was perceived by the higher plant biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, native to Asia, is now an insect pest in several countries. The sterile insect technique (SIT), involving the sterilization of insects by ionizing radiation and field release, is one method to control insect pest. This study examines the ultrastructure of H. halys spermiogenesis in both irradiated and wild males. Typical hemipteran sperm features were observed, such as mitochondrial derivative–axoneme bridges, the absence of accessory bodies, crystalline inclusions in mitochondrial derivatives, an acrosome with packed tubules, and a plaque-shaped microtubular organizing center (MTOC) in the centriolar region. Occasionally, two centrioles were observed in spermatids, with one disappearing later—a novel feature for insect spermiogenesis. In irradiated adults, cysts exhibited inconsistent radiation effects, including disorganized sperm arrangement, incomplete sperm cell divisions, multiple organelle copies within cells, failure to reabsorb cytoplasm, and a lack of axonemes. Additionally, rod-shaped viruses or virus-like particles were found in vasa deferentia, regardless of irradiation. Halyomorpha halys (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) is an insect pest native to Asia that has spread over the last two decades to most of the North America, parts of South America, Europe and North Africa. Its impact is significant as it can feed on more than 300 host plants, rendering affected fruits and vegetable crops unsellable or of lower quality. Various chemical and biological methods have been used to control this pest, with varying degrees of success. The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a pest control method involving the sterilization of insects via ionizing radiation and their subsequent mass release into the field. In the present contribution, the spermiogenesis of H. halys was studied from an ultrastructural point of view in both irradiated and non-irradiated adult males. In both cases, we observed ultrastructural characteristics typical of hemipteran sperm cells: bridges connecting the mitochondrial derivatives and the axonemal microtubules, the absence of accessory bodies, and the presence of two or three crystalline inclusions within the mitochondrial derivatives, an acrosome composed of tightly packed tubules, and an atypical, plaque-shaped microtubular organizing center (MTOC) in the centriolar region. Moreover, in the same region, we seldom observed the presence of two centrioles in the spermatids, one of which disappeared at a later stage of maturation. This feature is a novelty for insect spermiogenesis. The cysts of irradiated adults were not all uniformly affected by the radiation. However, irradiated cysts sometimes exhibited a general disorganization of sperm arrangement, incomplete divisions of sperm cells resulting in multiple copies of the same organelle within the same cell, failure to reabsorb the cytoplasm, and the lack of axonemes. Finally, rod-shaped viruses or virus-like particles were observed in vasa deferentia independently of irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Arma chinensis (Fallou) is a predatory natural enemy that plays a vital role in the biological control of various agricultural and forestry pests. In this study, the temporal and spatial expression patterns of the AcGrx5 gene in diapause and non-diapause conditions were quantified, and stress resistance was verified at low temperatures. A significant increase in metabolite content and antioxidant enzyme activity was found after the knockdown of the AcGrx5 gene, which shows a new finding of genes in the diapause of A. chinensis. Glutaredoxin (Grx) is a group of redox enzymes that control reactive oxygen species (ROS), traditionally defined as redox regulators. Recent research suggested that members of the Grx family may be involved in more biological processes than previously thought. Therefore, we cloned the AcGrx5 gene and identified its role in A. chinensis diapause. Sequence analysis revealed the ORF of AcGrx5 was 432 bp, encoding 143 amino acids, which was consistent with the homologous sequence of Halyomorpha halys. RT-qPCR results showed that AcGrx5 expression was the highest in the head, and compared with non-diapause conditions, diapause conditions significantly increased the expression of AcGrx5 in the developmental stages. Further, we found that 15 °C low-temperature stress significantly induced AcGrx5 expression, and the expression of antioxidant enzyme genes AcTrx2 and AcTrx-like were significantly increased after AcGrx5 knockdown. Following AcGrx5 silencing, there was a considerable rise in the levels of VC content, CAT activity, and hydrogen peroxide content, indicating that A. chinensis was exposed to high levels of reactive oxygen species. These results suggested that the AcGrx5 gene may play a key role in antioxidant defense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a significant threat to crop production. Alternatives to synthetic pesticides are needed for its management. Here we investigated the effect of sulphur on H. halys. Experiments were performed to evaluate both mortality and deterrence/repellence of H. halys following sulphur treatments in laboratory and semi‐field conditions. RESULTS: Brown marmorated stink bug mortality was not influenced by sulphur applications. However, in two‐choice experiments in insect cages and olfactometer, more H. halys adults moved toward the untreated control rather than the sulphur‐treated food sources, with a high effect as the concentration increased. A semi‐field experiment using potted apple plants confirmed the results observed in the laboratory, showing a deterrent and/or repellent effect of sulphur‐based products on H. halys. CONCLUSIONS: Sulphur applications were associated with a deterrent/repellent effect on the brown marmorated stink bug. The use of sulphur‐based products could represent a promising tool for Integrated Pest Management strategies against H. halys in fruit crops. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halyomorpha halys is an invasive stink bug, native to east Asia, responsible for extensive economic loss in numerous crops. Since several factors can influence the severity of the recorded injury level, we performed field and semi‐field experiments in commercial apple orchards to monitor their interaction. To establish how position (both in the orchard and on the canopy), management and cultivar interact in determining pre‐harvest injury levels, more than 100,000 apples, distributed over 106 orchard blocks, were examined in the field. Apples located higher in the canopy, on edge rows and in orchards with organic management had a higher number of external injuries and such factors were more relevant when occurring in combination, and on mid and late‐season cultivars. Exclusion cages were used to assess if the injury severity changed with the apple growth stage and with the life stage of H. halys, exposing Red delicious apples to adults and nymphs for 48 hours, from May to July. Early‐season injuries did not evolve in distinct depressions nor in wide areas with necrotic tissue. Later in season, the injury severity was higher and similar for adults and older nymphs (fourth and fifth instars), with the development of depressions externally and necrotic tissue internally. Thus, even a low number of individuals could cause severe damage, over a short exposure period, when it happened near full maturation. The combined results offer new insights to support the development of informed and sustainable control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive pest commonly found in vineyards. This study aimed to investigate the seasonal patterns and distribution of H. halys in vineyards with multiple grape cultivars. We also assessed the damage caused by different levels of pest infestation on grape clusters. Our findings revealed that H. halys populations varied throughout the seasons and were higher on red berry cultivars, such as Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and those ripening later in the season. Additionally, we observed higher pest infestations at the vineyard borders compared to their centers. The study showed that H. halys infestations led to damage to grape berries, with varying susceptibility among different cultivars and phenological stages. Furthermore, the presence of H. halys increased the incidence on clusters of Botrytis cinerea and sour rot, highlighting its significant impact on grapevine health. The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an invasive polyphagous pest often observed in vineyards. In Europe, a gap needs to be filled in the knowledge on H. halys seasonal dynamics and damage on grapes. With this study, we described the seasonal dynamics of H. halys and its distribution in multi-cultivar vineyards, and we evaluated the damage on grape clusters induced by different pest densities. In vineyards, the seasonal occurrence of H. halys varied across time and grape cultivars, and the pest was more abundant on Cabernet Franc, Merlot and, to a lesser extent, Pinot gris. Moreover, higher densities of H. halys were found on red berry cultivars than on white ones, and on cultivars ripening late in the season. An edge effect was also detected in pest distribution within vineyards, with more stink bugs observed in the borders. In the study on pest infestation density, H. halys caused damage on berries, showing differences in susceptibility among different cultivars and with regard to the time of infestation (i.e., plant phenological stages). Halyomorpha halys infestation induced an increase in Botrytis cinerea and sour rot incidence, which probably represents the main issue related to the impact of brown marmorated stink bug on grapevine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, represents an important insect pest and subsequently an important agricultural threat due to its polyphagous feeding habits and adaptability to diverse climates. Native from East Asia, its recent establishment in various regions, including North America and Europe, has led to substantial yield losses and economic impacts, which highlight the need for comprehensive research efforts, based on data occurrence by combining those from expert entomologists and citizen scientists. We reported here 14 new occurrences of this insect pest in the three regions of Belgium. Then, these data were merged with data occurrences from other studies and GBIF datasets of Belgium. The combined dataset showed a peak of presence of Halyomorpha halys in October and a dominance of field observations from citizen scientists especially in the nothern part of Belgium, Flanders. Crowd-sourced data have provided valuable insights into the presence and distribution of Halyomorpha halys in Belgium. Given the importance of the generated dataset, it could be asserted that this pest is uniformly distributed across the entire country, which necessitates additional research to evaluate its impact on various crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 2021–2023 period, we investigated the seasonal dynamics of the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) at two locations in an urban environment in central Slovenia. We have deployed three funnel traps, in combination with aggregation pheromone at each of the locations. We have recorded daily precipitation and average temperature. The pest was monitored at three different developmental stages, i.e. adults, young nymphs and old nymphs. Based on the average daily temperature, we have calculated degree day values (DD). We found that, accounting for the lower developmental threshold of 12.2°C, overwintered adults can appear in intervals, when DD reaches already 1°C till 11°C. Young nymphs appear when the DD value ranges from 290 to 516°C. Old larvae appear at DD values from 290 to 812°C, and adults of the first generation are observed when the DD value ranges from 809 to 1054°C. Our results revealed that brown marmorated stink bugs have one generation per year in Central Slovenia, and they are present in the landscape from April to the beginning of November. The results of our research are among the first in the field of seasonal dynamics of the brown marmorated stink bug in an urban environment.

Over the past two decades, several headspace collection techniques have been used to detect and identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plants, pests, air, and soil. Volatiles emitted by pests and infected plants are usually found at low concentrations. The important challenge is to be able to capture an exact collection of relative quantities of the relevant VOCs. Herewe present an innovative headspace collecting device (HSCD) for sampling VOCs, which ensures an exact regulation of mass flow velocity and collected total gas volume allowing besides qualitative analysis of collected VOCs, an exact comparison of their relative quantities in plant or insect headspace samples. The HSCD possess six parallel odor collection systems each consisting of a digital mass flow detector and controller connected to a vacuum pump, which are mounted in a trolley suitcase, connected by tubes, and wired electrically. The programming of the channels, can be done by a digital control unit. Using the HSCD, VOCs emitted by the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys, from its different developmental stages including egg, nymphal stages, nymphal exuvia, and adults were collected on thermal desorption tubes and analyzed using an automated thermal desorber connected to a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system. Forty-five VOCs were identified in total, whichmainly consisted of tridecane (4.36- 69.33%), E-2-decenal (4.24-26.48%), 2-undecenal (0.63-50.03%), and E-4-oxo-2-hexenal (1.22-20.58%). The random forest analysis revealed three different chemical patterns among BMSB life stages samples. In conclusion, these results indicate that the new developed HSCD, a mobile, easy to use, and reliable instrument, has a high potential to sample relevant VOCs of a specific life stage of an insect both qualitatively and quantitatively. It was demonstrated that this information can be used for identifying specific chemical signatures, which fit to specific life stages of the BMSB, and may be used as biomarker for on-site detection of this pest e.g. in shipping containers or agricultural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In Serbia, there is a growing concern over the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, which damages plants and creates aggregates in urban areas during the winter season. The bug population has increased, causing significant economic damage to crops. A study conducted in 2022 has discovered nine egg parasitoid species, including two foreign species, Trissolcus japonicus and Tr. mitsukurii, which were found in only one city in Serbia. This is the first time these species have been recorded in Serbia. Serbia has recently begun facing a serious problem with the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), which was first recorded in October 2015. This species belongs to the Pentomidae family and is notorious for causing extensive damage to plants. During the winter, it tends to gather in urban areas, such as houses and different man-made facilities, which has raised concerns among producers and citizens. The population of this species has rapidly increased, causing significant economic damage to cultivated plants. However, despite the alarming situation no natural enemies have yet been identified in Serbia. Therefore, research in 2022 was focused on collecting stink bug eggs to investigate the presence of egg parasitoids. The study identified two foreign Hymenoptera species for the European region, Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) and Tr. mitsukurii (Ashmead) (Scelionidae), recorded for the first time in Serbia. Additionally, the list of egg parasitoid species belonging to the Hymenoptera order includes seven local species: Anastatus bifasciatus (Geoffroy), from the Eupelmidae family; Ooencyrtus sp., from the Encyrtidae family; and Telenomus turesis (Walker), Tr. basalis (Wollaston), Tr. belenus (Walker), Tr. colemani (Crawford), and Tr. semistriatus (Nees von Esenbeck), from the Scelionidae family. In total, nine egg parasitoid species were, for the first time, reported as parasitizing H. halys and related species in Serbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In its native range, Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is a main egg parasitoid of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera; Pentatomidae). Adventive populations of this parasitoid have been spreading in Europe and North America, allowing active distribution efforts in these areas to utilize it against H. halys in agriculture. We tested exposure of adults and parasitized egg masses to residues of a range of insecticides an adjuvant that the wasp could encounter in perennial horticultural crops, and how exposure might affect key behaviors. The insecticides included Burkholderia rinojensis, Methoxyfenozide, Sulfoxaflor, and Spinosad, and the adjuvant NuFilm®P. The lethal effects were investigated after exposure for 1, 6, and 24 hours to residues applied to Munger cells using a Potter spray tower to determine mortality levels. Sulfoxaflor and Spinosad resulted in 73% and 100% mortality after 24 hours at field rates, while Methoxyfenozide caused 19% mortality at the same rate. Little mortality occurred with Burkholderia rinojensis and NuFilm®P at recommended rates after 24 hours. Regarding sublethal effects, Spinosad, Sulfoxaflor, and Burkholderia rinojensis negatively impacted reproduction. Sulfoxaflor caused a lower angular velocity in parasitoids exposed to H. halys traces. Spinosad, Methoxyfenozide, and NuFilm®P induced a significantly lower overall circadian activity. Our results showed that precision timing of insecticide sprays to pests is necessary, especially for biocontrol programs that involve the release of parasitoids such as T. japonicus. Our results also illustrate how sensor data acquisition and behavioral analysis software can be utilized to detect important sublethal effects such as circadian disruption in minute parasitoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gastric caecum and the pylorus of Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) was examined morphologically and histologically with stereomicroscopic, light microscopic, and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) techiques in this study. H. halys is a polyphagous species that feeds mainly on plants of the Rosaceae and Fabaceae families and agricultural areas and can cause massive damages on them. Three distinct areas comprise H. halys's digestive tract. The pylorus is the first section of the hindgut, and the gastric caecum of H. halys is seen at the posterior end of the second region known as the midgut. In comparison to other insect species in the order Hemiptera and other insect groups, it can be easily stated that their structure is generally close to many species belonging to this order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a widespread and very harmful species to many different plant species and can cause lead to great economic damage. The excretory system of H. halys is composed of four Malpighian tubules. Each Malpighian tubule is divided to region according to the external structures: proximal and distal regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A challenging, yet fundamental part of initiating effective control measures against an invasive pest species is developing reliable means of monitoring the pest's seasonal abundance. Halyomorpha halys, a polyphagous insect pest native to East Asia, has become a major economic threat to agricultural systems following unintentional introductions to North America, South America, and Europe. Research involving the seasonal phenology and monitoring attractant preferences of H. halys from its native range remain scarce. An 11-year collection of H. halys monitoring trap data from black light, incandescent light, and methyl (E, E, Z)-2, 4, 6-decatrienoate (MDT) lured traps from three locations in Kyoto, Japan was analyzed to fill gaps in knowledge relating to the native seasonal abundance and effectiveness of diferent trapping techniques for the pest. Due to a high amount of zero trap counts, a zero-inflated approach was taken to analyze the dataset. Overall, H. halys followed a bell-shaped population trend in Kyoto, with abundance peaking in the mid-summer. The attractant preference of H. halys varied slightly with the season, with black light traps producing to highest mean trap counts. The MDT lure traps generated the lowest mean trap counts, but displayed potential use in the reliable detection of early season H. halys. This work is expected to provide greater insight on H. halys in its native range and ultimately help refine existing management programs in invaded regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive insect pest that has caused significant economic losses in a myriad of agricultural crops in Europe and the USA. The communication as well as the control of this pest largely rely on semiochemicals (e.g., pheromones) and semiophysicals (e.g., substrate‐borne vibrations). Nevertheless, the nocturnal activity of H. halys is still largely unknown. In the present study, the diel vibrational communication of H. halys was investigated in controlled laboratory and semi‐field conditions. Moreover, the relevance of this ecological trait for integrated pest management (IPM) strategies was assessed by extending playback periods of bimodal (i.e., pheromones + vibrational playbacks) traps to 24 h, and comparing it to the current trap model (solar panel, about 12 h of playback) and a control (no playback, only pheromone). We found that H. halys did not exhibit discernible differences of vibrational activity between photophase and scotophase, with the exception of signal type 2 that in laboratory conditions was predominately emitted within nocturnal and morning hours (i.e., 20:00–12:00). Additionally, the calling activity was negatively affected by warmer (>32 °C) and windier (>7 m s−1) conditions in semi‐field settings. Bimodal traps that were power‐supplied for 24 h captured significantly more males than the other groups, and more females than the control group. Results suggest that the nocturnal vibrational activity of H. halys should be accounted for within IPM strategies by activating the bimodal traps also during the scotophase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polyphagous pest, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), damages fruit in orchards and field crops and is often found within nearby woodlands. Pheromone-baited traps can be used to monitor H. halys. However, the efficiency of trapping H. halys may vary depending on trapping strategy (live vs. dead capture), location (ground or canopy), and diel periodicity of captures. We compared H. halys capture within fruiting hosts for: (i) live and kill traps on the ground vs. traps in the canopy of black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) (Rosales: Rosaceae), sugarberry (Celtis laevigata Willdenow) (Rosales: Cannabaceae), and pecan (Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch) (Fagales: Juglandaceae) trees, (ii) ground and canopy-live traps in sassafras (Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees) (Laurales: Lauraceae), and (iii) whether diel periodicity was detected for live capture in sassafras and cotton. More H. halys adults and nymphs were captured in kill traps than in live traps. More nymphs were captured in kill traps in black cherry and sugarberry on the ground than in the canopy. Live adult capture was significantly greater in sassafras and pecan canopies than on the ground. In cotton and sassafras, more live adults were captured from 8 PM—noon, with the fewest captured from noon—6 PM. A better understanding of stink bug activity in the field allows for improved trapping and, possibly, improved timing of treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Stål), is an invasive and severe pest of specialty and row crops. A 2‐year field study conducted in four Mid‐Atlantic states in the USA characterized the spatial and temporal dynamics of BMSB populations and its association with landscape elements in commercial agriculture settings. In each state, two 1 km2 sites included typical landscape elements (i.e., tree fruit orchards, annual field and vegetable crops, woodlands, and human‐made structures). Twenty‐seven georeferenced pheromone traps were deployed per site and the number of BMSB adults and nymphs captured was counted throughout the growing season. RESULTS: Findings from spatial analysis by distance indices, along with time‐series maps of BMSB distribution, showed that BMSB exhibited significant spatial aggregation, and that its distribution was spatially consistent between years. Analyses with geographic information systems (GIS) revealed that BMSB 'hot spots' occurred in different landscape elements throughout each season. Most patches (i.e., clusters of significantly higher trap captures) were found near woodlands early in the season, near tree fruit orchards in summer, and on the border of annual field crops in autumn. Buffer analysis with GIS indicated that more BMSB adults were captured closer to woodlands compared with other landscape elements. CONCLUSION: Understanding the spatial and temporal movement and distribution of BMSB is critical to predicting their potential impact and ultimately devising strategies to mitigate this risk to vulnerable crops. The results of this study can be used to design streamlined, spatially‐based areawide management of BMSB in heterogeneous and complex agricultural landscapes. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the identification and potential threat posed by the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB), an exotic plant pest, highlighting its key characteristics and the importance of bio-security measures to prevent its establishment in Australia. Topics discussed include the BMSB's origin from Asia, its distinct features such as shield-shaped body and unpleasant odor, and the potential economic and ecological impacts if it were to establish populations locally.

Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive pest causing significant damage to tree crops. Our study examined the impact of newly designed aggregation pheromone-baited ‘mini–sailboat’ (MSB) traps for controlling H. halys and its effect on the spatial distribution of fruit damage. Four replicates of four traps, with a total of 16 MSB traps, were placed along a 1.3 km border of apple orchards, concentrating the traps on one side of the orchards. A fruit damage assessment for incidence and severity was conducted at increasing distances from the orchard border where the traps were placed, encompassing 107 assessment points. Our study showed that deploying MSB traps along the orchard border significantly increased fruit damage within the first 45 m compared to control plots without traps. However, beyond the first 45 m from the border, there was a significant reduction in damage incidence. In the treated plots, 50% of the damage occurred within 26 m of the traps, while in control plots, within 85 m. Shifting the fruit damage pattern means restricting the pests lingering in a narrow strip near the MSB traps, which paves the way for improved techniques to restructure the crop perimeter.

Kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) cultivation is expanding worldwide, with China, New Zealand, and Italy being the major producing countries. Halyomorpha halys, the brown marmorated stink bug, is raising serious concerns to kiwifruit cultivation both in China and Italy. This study aimed at improving the chemical control efficacy against this pest by comparing two insecticide spray techniques (a conventional ray atomizer and a trumpet-modified atomizer adapted for localized spray application) in kiwifruit. In fact, kiwifruit is often grown with a ‘pergola’ training system, which may reduce the effectiveness of insecticide penetration into the canopy. Experiments were performed in naturally infested orchards of both Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis ‘Jintao’ and A. chinensis var. deliciosa ‘Hayward’. Furthermore, mesh cages containing H. halys adults were deployed within orchards to assess the insects’ mortality at 1, 3, 7, and 10 days after an insecticide application with two spray techniques during two consecutive seasons. In the cultivar ‘Jintao’, the two systems performed similarly, while in the cultivar ‘Hayward’, an overall significantly higher insect mortality was recorded with the trumpet atomizer (94–100%) compared to the conventional atomizer (59–78%). Crop damage was also evaluated on both cultivars, simulating the grower insecticide applications with the two spray techniques. At harvest, no difference emerged between the spray techniques, which provided a significantly better protection compared to the untreated control (12–17% compared to 33–47% of injured fruits). Further investigations in this direction are needed also considering the restriction of insecticidal active substances ongoing in the European Union and the need to maximize the efficacy of the available tools.

The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an agricultural pest with a unique odor, aggregating near human habitats during the cold season. In the present study, we evaluated the suitability of H. halys as an edible insect. We observed that the one-time administration of 2000 mg/kg raw stink bugs to female rats via oral gavage did not affect their weight or cause mortality, suggesting that the medium lethal dose of H. halys adults was > 2000 mg/kg for female rats. Moreover, the presence of microorganisms or heavy metals was not observed in heated and raw insects, respectively, except for cadmium, suggesting that they met food hygiene and safety standards. Nutrient composition analysis revealed that the levels of useful compounds in H. halys were comparable to those in general hemipterans. The ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids in H. halys adults was 44.3%, whereas that of saturated fatty acids was 16.8%. Moreover, H. halys was rich in β-carotene, astaxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Therefore, H. halys is a potential edible carotenoid source. Consumption of this insect would become a solution to managing the pest and nuisance. Further studies are needed to ensure food safety and human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substrate-borne vibrational communication is common in pentatomids. Although several works exist on the vibrational communication of Halyomorpha halys, its vibrational behavior post diapause has not been investigated. In this study, we recorded H. halys overwintered adults using laser doppler vibrometers at three temperatures: 10 °C (inactivity), 18 °C (breaking of diapause), and 25 °C (peak of mating activity). The aim was to assess the effect of temperature on the signaling, motility, and survival of H. halys. The insects were sexed into different cages and recorded separately or joined with a cage of the opposite sex. We calculated the total time spent on signaling and walking per replica. The males predominantly emitted male signal 1 (MS1) throughout the four months of recordings. The females exclusively emitted female signal 2 (FS2) when joined with the opposite sex cage the first two months of recordings. Interestingly, they also started FS2 signaling when recorded separately, after two months. No signaling was recorded at 10 °C. At 25 °C, the signaling latency time before vibrational signaling was 24 h compared to 23 days at 18 °C. The short latency time at 25 °C correlated with a higher death rate in early stages of recording. Male walking activity was significantly higher in joined cages at 18 °C and 25 °C, suggesting the increased searching behavior near the opposite sex. Overwintered H. halys could adapt to different conditions whereas low temperatures maintain the diapause which is characterized by no signaling activity. Our results provide a foundation for bioclimatic modeling of climate change effects on H. halys and insights into the use of vibrational playbacks for mass trapping and monitoring as control techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The egg parasitoid Gryon aetherium Talamas (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is a promising candidate for biocontrol of Bagrada hilaris Burmeister (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in the Southwestern USA. Bagrada hilaris is a worldwide invasive pest of crops in the family Brassicaceae. The present study aims to evaluate the parasitoid's host range in a European context. These tests complement studies underway in California and provide risk information for a potential release of G. aetherium in southern continental Europe where B. hilaris is likely to spread in the future. Of the 11 nontarget species tested, four pentatomids were in the physiological host range of G. aetherium: Carpocoris mediterraneus, Dolycoris baccarum, Graphosoma italicum and Ancyrosoma leucogrammes. Parasitism rates on these four species were lower in choice than in no-choice conditions. Surprisingly, the three Eurydema spp. that belong to the same tribe as B. hilaris (Strachiini) and feed on plants in the family Brassicaceae were not parasitized. No parasitism was observed on the cosmopolitan invasive pentatomids Nezara viridula and Halyomorpha halys, nor on the rhopalid Liorhyssus hyalinus. Parasitoids that developed from non-target species were larger than ones developing on B. hilaris and took more time to complete development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is an economically important pest of fruit and vegetable crops. It is also a nuisance pest overwintering in large numbers in man-made structures. In its native range, natural biological control plays a key role in regulating this pest. The egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus is a dominant natural enemy showing high parasitism rates on H. halys eggs. Adventive populations of T. japonicus have been reported from North America and several European countries with successful establishment within the new distribution areas of H. halys. The object of this study was to monitor H. halys egg masses to assess the distribution and establishment of T. japonicus. In Germany, T. japonicus was first reported in 2020 at three sites in Baden-Wuerttemberg. Since then, additional locations have been confirmed in Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Thus, T. japonicus has been able to successfully overwinter, reproduce, and spread within H. halys' distribution range in Baden-Wuerttemberg. Here, the current status of presence and establishment of T. japonicus in Germany is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, native to East Asia, is an invasive pest of economic importance. It has invaded North America and many European countries and is further expanding its range. In Belgium, it was first observed in 2011. Halyomorpha halys is known to cause severe damage in commercial fruit orchards and vegetable crops. A dramatic and unmitigated expansion of H. halys in its adventive range could lead to significant economic implications for agricultural production. In this study, occurrence data of H. halys since its first observation in Belgium was analysed together with molecular information to map the populations and evaluate the genetic diversity of this pest. The genetic diversity of H. halys in Belgium was compared to data from other invaded and native countries reported in previous studies to identify possible invasion routes. The analysis of 1176-bp of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase I and II genes (COI and COII) led to the discovery of two novel COI-COII haplotype combinations currently unique to Belgium. The invasion of H. halys in Belgium is likely the result of multiple and ongoing introductions from its native region and from already invaded countries in Europe, particularly Italy. The expansion of the brown marmorated stink bug populations in Belgium is recent and ongoing. Presently, it appears to thrive best in northern Belgium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unintentional introduction of natural enemies has increased in recent years due to a massive rise in global trade and tourism. One such natural enemy is the Asian egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus, a promising agent for classical biological control of Halyomorpha halys. In Europe, adventive T. japonicus populations have been detected in Switzerland, Italy and Germany. Host specificity testing demonstrated that its fundamental host range is fairly broad; however, it is unclear whether spatial or temporal refuges reduce parasitism of non-target species in the field. To address this, the realized host range of T. japonicus was assessed over three years by exposing sentinel egg masses of H. halys and 18 non-target species and collecting naturally laid egg masses in Switzerland and Italy. In total, 15 of 18 non-target species were successfully parasitized by T. japonicus in the field, confirming its broad fundamental host range. However, most non-target species were less parasitized by T. japonicus than H. halys, profiting from either partial temporal or spatial refuges from parasitism. Species with an unusual life cycle and the same ecological niche as H. halys, such as Pentatoma rufipes, which was the most parasitized non-target species in both countries, potentially face an increased risk of parasitism. In contrast, beneficial non-target effects may occur for the invasive pest, Nezara viridula, which suffered high non-reproductive mortality induced by T. japonicus. In both cases, life table studies will be needed to determine the impact of non-target parasitism and the potential consequences at the population level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is a pentatomid bug that feeds on a wide range of economically important crops. Crop protection in newly invaded areas mainly relies on the use of broad-spectrum chemical insecticides, while little to no information is available regarding a classical biological control approach. The overall purpose of the present study was to estimate the parasitism rate and development time of the native egg parasitoid Ooencyrtus telenomicida Vassiliev (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) when offered H. halys egg-masses, taking into consideration several parameters. Specifically, we tested different parasitoid ages and densities on 1–4-day-old H. halys eggs. According to our results, parasitoid density and the age of host eggs significantly affected the parasitism rate of O. telenomicida. High parasitoid density along with younger host eggs led to higher parasitism rates. Likewise, a significant interaction was observed between the parasitoid density and their age. Successful parasitisation occurred with host eggs up to 4 days old, with parasitism rates decreasing as host egg age increased. A three-fold higher parasitism rate of H. halys eggs was observed when they were parasitised by older O. telenomicida females, compared to younger ones. Concerning the development time of O. telenomicida, individuals that developed in younger host eggs displayed a shorter development time. Parasitoid age did not affect the development time of O. telenomicida, nor did the density of parasitoids. Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive pest species that was imported into Greece in 2011 and since then, has caused severe qualitative and quantitative damage to economically important crops. Its management relies mainly on the use of broad-spectrum insecticides, with little to no information available concerning the potential use of native parasitoids in terms of classical biological control. Our study aimed to assess the parasitism rate and development time of the gregarious egg parasitoid Ooencyrtus telenomicida (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) on H. halys egg-masses, depending on several factors such as: (i) age of parasitoids, (ii) density of parasitoids, (iii) age of host eggs, and (iv) oviposition experience of parasitoids. According to our results, the younger the host eggs and the more parasitoids, the higher the parasitism rate achieved by adults of O. telenomicida, with the maximum mean value of the parasitism rate observed with 1-day-old host eggs and 4 parasitoid pairs (57.3%). On the contrary, the lowest mean value of the parasitism rate was observed with 4-day-old host eggs and 1 parasitoid pair (6.5%). Similarly, the age of parasitoids significantly affected parasitisation. The older the parasitoids were, the higher the parasitism rate achieved by adults of O. telenomicida, with a three-fold higher parasitism rate observed at 3–4 and 5–6-day-old O. telenomicida, compared to 1–2-day-old (31.8, 32.4, and 12.1%, respectively). Individuals that developed in younger host eggs displayed a shorter development time, and the shortest development time was observed for O. telenomicida laid by 2 parasitoid pairs. Parasitoid age did not affect the development time of O. telenomicida, although there was a tendency for individuals laid by younger female parasitoids to exhibit a shorter development time. Our findings provide valuable information on the potential use of O. telenomicida as a biocontrol agent of H. halys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most present pests in the last 5-6 years in various sectors (agricultural, horticultural, forestry) is definitely the Halyomorpha halys insect from the Pentatomidae family. The insect is somewhat established in Romania, 8 years have passed since its first reporting. Mainly, it is considered a species that lives near houses and the active life of people and feeds on leaves, inflorescences and fruits from urban spaces, that's why we thought of analyzing the wintering places with more interest. In this sense, we analyzed 5 spaces (marginal strips) along the Green Forest in the city of Timisoara in order to establish number of hibernating adults, both at the end of autumn-beginning of winter (November) and at the end of winter-beginning of spring (March), then in April to see if they are still present. The analyzed substrate consisted of foliage on an area of 1m2 with leaves of deciduous trees and shrubs with deciduous leaves. From the findings, we realized that the population of hibernating individuals in the samples from the spring of 2024 had limits from 2 to 5 compared to 6 to 12 in autumn of the year 2023, in all 5 places subject to observation. As such, we can assume that this, being polyphagous, has left its wintering places and headed for other places to ensure its polyphagous feeding and implicitly the damage of various crops. It is worth it, therefore, taken into consideration in the future and the possibility of easily invading vegetable sources of food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB; Halyomorpha halys Stål.) is a highly destructive and polyphagous invasive pest that poses a serious threat to more than a hundred reported host plants. In the current study, the metabolic response of peach fruit of two cultivars—'Maria Marta' and 'Redhaven'—to BMSB infestation was studied using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS). In general, a strong phenolic response to BMSB infestation in peach flesh in the injury zone was observed, with flavanol content increasing by 2.4-fold, hydroxycinnamic acid content by 5.0-fold, flavonol content by 3.2-fold, flavanone content by 11.3-fold, and dihydrochalcones content by 3.2-fold compared with the undamaged tissue in the cultivar 'Maria Marta'. The phenolic response in the 'Redhaven' cultivar was even stronger. Consequently, the total phenolic content in the injured flesh also increased, 3.3-fold in 'Maria Marta' and 6.9-fold in 'Redhaven', compared with the uninjured flesh. Infestation with BMSB induced the synthesis of cyanidin-3-glucoside, which is not normally present in peach flesh. In comparison, the phenolic response was lower in peach peel, especially in the cultivar 'Maria Marta'. The study showed that both peach cultivars reacted to BMSB infestation with an increase in phenolic content in the peach flesh, but in a limited area of injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown marmorated stink bugs (Halyomorpha halys) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a harmful insect that entered Romania for several years. Its polyphagous is accentuated and in the continuous expansion of the host plants, whether agricultural or horticultural and deciduous forest. Through the present work we have proposed to see what is the current state of the pest in 5 OPs in Timis County related to density, updated range of host plants but also to try to keep populations under control so as to avoid damage. So, for 4 years (2020-2023) from May to October we made observations in various types of areas (field crops, private gardens, parks and fruit orchards). As results, we found high and medium frequency in private gardens with mixed plants but also in orchards, while in field crops, they had a lower frequency. In August, the most specimens were seen. After testing 2 products (a classic insecticide and an bio-insecticide), the classic one proved to be more effective, but taking into account the effects of pollution environment, it is recommended to apply the bioinsecticide first, however both must be used to maximize effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Quality control of hazelnuts is a major concern in many regions across the world, but particularly in Turkey as the world's largest hazelnut producer. Using image processing and deep learning techniques, this study intended to detect and classify healthy hazelnuts and hazelnuts infected with the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. Infected hazelnut samples were collected from the 2021 production period by experts. A Guppy Pro CCD camera-based image acquisition system was used to capture hazelnut images. A total of 400 RGB hazelnut images were captured to train machine learning models. Image segmentation process was carried out to subtract hazelnut images from the background using the Thresholding technique. Moment features were extracted from RGB and l*a*b* spaces to be used to train traditional machine learning models. Furthermore, the most relevant and discriminative feature set was selected using the Boruta feature selection method. Traditional machine learning models including Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, Logistic Regression, Naive Bayes, and Decision Tree were trained twice, once with all features and another with the selected feature set only. The overall accuracy, statistical characteristics of the confusion matrix, and model training time were all calculated to evaluate and compare models performances. As a result, threshold value of 50 was determined from the gray level histogram and was able to separate hazelnut image from the background perfectly. Only seven moment features were identified as the most discriminative features out of 24 features. The SVM model with all feature vectors had the greatest classification accuracy of 98.75 %. When only the selected features were employed, the performance of Random Forest and Logistic Regression models improved to 97.5 and 96.25 %, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from plants is associated with biotic and abiotic stress and depends on the plant species, organs, and developmental stage. Insects use VOCs to locate their host plants and their behavior is heavily influenced by the chemical profile of each at its current phenological stage. The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a highly polyphagous pest that causes significant damage to tree, vegetable, and ornamental crops worldwide. The volatile profiles of five hosts of H. halys were compared for common substances to provide insight into this insect's extreme polyphagy. Headspace collection of volatile substances was performed for five hosts of H. halys by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and their VOC profiles were compared. The results show that, although the volatile profiles of the host plants differ substantially, 13 out of the 68 identified compounds were shared. These results suggest that host recognition by H. halys is likely driven by a combination of attractive and possibly repellent compounds that work synergistically which is the first step toward decoding this pest's polyphagous nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]