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Description

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys, BMSB) is an extremely successful invasive species with over 300 different host plants ranging from ornamental to agricultural species. One of the primary controls of BMSB in their native range is the parasitoid wasp Trissolcus japonicus (T.j). While T.j has the ability to control BMSB populations, native species of parasitoid wasp have also been documented targeting BMSB eggs, although with minimal success. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether or not a beneficial facilitative relationship existed between the invasive Trissolcus japonicus and the native egg parasitoid Trissolcus euschisti (T. eu). I hypothesized that egg masses previously parasitized by T. j before parasitization by T. eu would show higher native wasp emergence rates and would increase the success of the native species when parasitizing the invasive eggs. To test my hypothesis, egg masses were first exposed to the invasive T. j for parasitization, before being exposed to the native T. eu for a second attempt at parasitization. By exposing egg masses to both species of wasp, not only can we observe the possible beneficial relationship to the native wasp, but it also allows us to observe any possible deleterious effects to the invasive wasp, as well as how BMSB might be affected by a facilitative parasitization between two species. Through detailed egg mass evaluations and meticulous identification of every emerged wasp, a clear picture of how emergence rates may change can be created.

Publication Date

12-6-2022

City

Logan, UT

Keywords

facilitative relationship, invasive wasps, parasitization, stink bug eggs

Disciplines

Life Sciences

Facilitative Parasitization of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Eggs Between Native and Invasive Trissolcus Wasps

Included in

Life Sciences Commons

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