Parasitism of the Invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, <i>Halyomorpha halys</i> (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), by the Native Parasitoid, <i>Trichopoda pennipes</i> (Diptera: Tachinidae)

• Main Authors: Neelendra K. Joshi, Timothy W. Leslie, David J. Biddinger
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-09-01
• Series: Biology
• Subjects: invasive species; biological control; brown marmorated stink bug; parasitoid
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/8/3/66

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, <i>Halyomorpha halys</i> (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), has been an important agricultural pest in the Mid-Atlantic United States since its introduction in 1996. Biological control by native species may play an important role in suppressing <i>H. halys</i> populations and reduce reliance on chemical control. We collected <i>H. halys</i> adults in agricultural areas of five Pennsylvania counties over two years to examine the extent and characteristics of adult stink bug parasitism by <i>Trichopoda pennipes</i> (Diptera: Tachinidae), a native parasitoid of hemipterans. The overall parasitism rate (in terms of <i>T. pennipes</i> egg deposition) was 2.38 percent. Rates differed among counties and seasons, but not between years. Instances of supernumerary oviposition were evident, and eggs were more commonly found on the ventral side of the thorax, although no differences in egg deposition were found between males and female hosts. <i>T. pennipes</i> has begun to target <i>H. halys</i> adults in Pennsylvania and has the potential to play a role in regulating this pest. Adult parasitism of <i>H. halys</i> by <i>T. pennipes</i> should continue to be monitored, and landscape management and ecological pest management practices that conserve <i>T. pennipes</i> populations should be supported in agricultural areas where <i>H. halys</i> is found.