The First Records of Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) and Trissolcus mitsukurii (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae), Alien Egg Parasitoids of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) in Serbia

Biology (Basel). 2024 May 1;13(5):316. doi: 10.3390/biology13050316.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: brown marmorated stink bug; first records; foreign insect species; parasitoid list.

Grants and funding

The research was supported by the Plant Protection Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia, Agriserbia d.o.o., and Ferrero Trading Lux S.A. The study was also supported by the Ministry of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, project number 451-03-47/2023-01/200117, and Agreement on the realization and co-financing of the scientific research work of the accredited Center of Exceptional Values in 2023—Agreement No. 451-03-1524/2023-04/16. This study was carried out within the Agritech National Research Center and received funding from the European Union Next-Generation EU (PIANO NAZIONALE DI RIPRESA E RESILIENZA (PNRR)—MISSIONE 4 COMPONENTE 2, INVESTIMENTO 1.4—D.D. 1032 17/06/2022, CN00000022). This manuscript reflects only the authors’ views and opinions; neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be considered responsible for them.