Preempting the Arrival of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys: Biological Control Options for Australia

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is native to Northeast Asia, but has become a serious invasive species in North America and Europe, causing major economic damage to crops. Halyomorpha halys has not established itself in Australia, but it has been intercepted several times at the border, therefore future incursions and establishment are likely. There are few control options for this species and biological control may be a useful management method in Australia. This study summarizes the literature on natural enemies of H. halys in its native and invaded ranges and prioritizes potential biological control agents that could be suitable for use in Australia. The results show two egg parasitoid species as the best candidates: Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) and Trissolcus mitsukurii (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). Because T. mitsukurii is already present in Australia, it offers the possibility of biological control that can be implemented rapidly. ABSTRACT: The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is native to Northeast Asia, but has become a serious invasive species in North America and Europe, causing major damage to crops. While it has not established itself in Australia, it has been intercepted at the border several times, indicating that future incursions and establishment are a case of when, not if. Biological control is one of the few control options for this species and will be important for managing H. halys should it become established in Australia. Prioritizing species that could be used as biological control agents would ensure Australia is prepared. This study summarizes the literature on natural enemies of H. halys in its native and invaded ranges and prioritizes potential biological control agents of H. halys that could be used in Australia. Two egg parasitoid species were identified: Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) and Trissolcus mitsukurii (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae). Future efforts to develop biological control should focus on T. mitsukurii, as it is already present in Australia. However, little is known about this species and further work is required to: (1) assess its potential effectiveness in parasitizing H. halys, (2) determine its current distribution and (3) host range in Australia.