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MISSENSE mutation, GENETIC variation, LIGAND-gated ion channels, NEUROTRANSMITTER receptors, AMPA receptors, and NEURAL development

GRIA1 encodes the GluA1 subunit of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) receptors, which are ligand-gated ion channels that act as excitatory receptors for the neurotransmitter L -glutamate (Glu). AMPA receptors (AMPARs) are homo- or heteromeric protein complexes with four subunits, each encoded by different genes, GRIA1 to GRIA4. Although GluA1-containing AMPARs have a crucial role in brain function, the human phenotype associated with deleterious GRIA1 sequence variants has not been established. Subjects with de novo missense and nonsense GRIA1 variants were identified through international collaboration. Detailed phenotypic and genetic assessments of the subjects were carried out and the pathogenicity of the variants was evaluated in vitro to characterize changes in AMPAR function and expression. In addition, two Xenopus gria1 CRISPR-Cas9 F 0 models were established to characterize the in vivo consequences. Seven unrelated individuals with rare GRIA1 variants were identified. One individual carried a homozygous nonsense variant (p.Arg377Ter), and six had heterozygous missense variations (p.Arg345Gln, p.Ala636Thr, p.Ile627Thr, and p.Gly745Asp), of which the p.Ala636Thr variant was recurrent in three individuals. The cohort revealed subjects to have a recurrent neurodevelopmental disorder mostly affecting cognition and speech. Functional evaluation of major GluA1-containing AMPAR subtypes carrying the GRIA1 variant mutations showed that three of the four missense variants profoundly perturb receptor function. The homozygous stop-gain variant completely destroys the expression of GluA1-containing AMPARs. The Xenopus gria1 models show transient motor deficits, an intermittent seizure phenotype, and a significant impairment to working memory in mutants. These data support a developmental disorder caused by both heterozygous and homozygous variants in GRIA1 affecting AMPAR function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STINKBUGS, BROWN marmorated stink bug, HYMENOPTERA, OVIPARITY, BIOLOGICAL pest control agents, GREENBUG, and HOSTS of parasitoids

• We tested the physiological host ranges of an introduced biocontrol agent (T. basalis) and native parasitoid (T. oenone). • T. basalis attacks and develops in all nine pentatomid taxa we tested. • The native T. oenone attacks and develops in seven out of eight pentatomid species we tested. • Parasitism efficiencies were high for all treatments (>60%). Retrospective host range testing is essential for understanding the physiological host range of introduced biological control agents (BCAs) and updating forecasts of non-target risks. It is especially important to conduct this work if there was no host range testing prior to release of the agent. Trissolcus basalis Wollaston was released in New Zealand in 1949 against green vegetable bug (Nezara viridula [L.]), but host range testing was never undertaken, and subsequent work in the 1960s was only of a qualitative nature and remains incomplete. The host-parasitoid complex between New Zealand pentatomids, T. basalis , and the native pentatomid parasitoid Trissolcus oenone Dodd, is therefore poorly understood. We conducted no-choice oviposition tests between the two resident Trissolcus species and all available New Zealand pentatomid species to characterise the physiological (=fundamental) host ranges of these parasitoids. We present the results of the first retrospective host-specificity study on T. basalis in New Zealand. Our results show T. basalis attacks and develops in all nine pentatomid taxa we exposed it to (including the endemic alpine species Hypsithocus hudsonae Bergroth), while T. oenone attacks and develops in seven out of eight pentatomid species we tested it against (and its capacity to attack H. hudsonae remains unknown). Parasitism efficiencies for all treatments exceeded 60%, while development times were similar for both parasitoids regardless of host. We discuss the importance of physiological host range testing for understanding potential non-target effects. Trissolcus japonicus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was recently approved for release in New Zealand against brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), subject to its potential establishment, and we examine our results in the context of potential competition between introduced parasitoids for non-target species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STINKBUGS, BROWN marmorated stink bug, CARBON dioxide, FUMIGATION, ATMOSPHERIC carbon dioxide, HEMIPTERA, and DILUTION

BACKGROUND: The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys, has caused significant agricultural damage to numerous hosts, so agricultural producers seek to limit its spread. Where established, BMSB can also cause substantial urban and commercial disturbance, as overwintering adults may seek refuge inside dwellings, covered spaces, vehicles, and consignments. Phytosanitary authorities are most concerned with the importation of 'hitchhiking' adults in this refugia, with certain countries requiring a quarantine treatment to mitigate risk. This study explores fumigation with ethyl formate, applied as 16.7% by mass dilution in carbon dioxide, for control of adult BMSB. RESULTS: The induction of diapause, to simulate overwintering physiology, resulted in 2‐ and 3‐fold increases in the tolerance of adults toward this ethyl formate fumigation at 10 ± 0.5 °C (x¯±2s) lasting for 8 and 12 h, respectively. However, a decreased tolerance (0.7‐fold) of diapausing specimens was observed for a 4‐h duration. Diapausing and nondiapausing adult BMSB can be controlled at the probit 9 level if the headspace concentration of ethyl formate, [EF], in the carbon dioxide mixture is maintained ≥7.68 mg L−1 for 12 h at 10 ± 0.5 °C (x¯±2s). If the duration is shortened to 4 h, [EF] must be maintained ≥14.73 mg L−1 over the course of fumigation. CONCLUSION: The toxicity of ethyl formate in this mixture can be distinct for different physiological states of the same life stage, as evidenced by a ca. 3‐fold increase in the Haber's z parameter for adult BMSB when in diapause. Respective to the physiological state of adults, this study identifies how the applied dose and/or treatment duration can be modulated (i.e. tuned) to ensure adequate toxicological efficacy toward BMSB infesting hosts or refuge at temperatures ca. >10 °C. Published 2022. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MEDICAL personnel, BLOOD testing, COVID-19 testing, SICK leave, and HOSPITALS

Background: COVID-19 is an ongoing pandemic leading to exhaustion of the hospital care system. Our health care system has to deal with a high level of sick leave of health care workers (HCWs) with COVID-19 related complaints, in whom an infection with SARS-CoV-2 has to be ruled out before they can return back to work. The aim of the present study is to investigate if the recently described CoLab-algorithm can be used to exclude COVID-19 in a screening setting of HCWs. Methods: In the period from January 2021 till March 2021, HCWs with COVID-19-related complaints were prospectively collected and included in this study. Next to the routinely performed SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR, using a set of naso- and oropharyngeal swab samples, two blood tubes (one EDTA- and one heparin-tube) were drawn for analysing the 10 laboratory parameters required for running the CoLab-algorithm. Results: In total, 726 HCWs with a complete CoLab-laboratory panel were included in this study. In this group, 684 HCWs were tested SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR negative and 42 cases RT-PCR positive. ROC curve analysis showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.853 (95% CI: 0.801–0.904). At a safe cut-off value for excluding COVID-19 of -6.525, the sensitivity was 100% with a specificity of 34% (95% CI: 21 to 49%). No SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR cases were missed with this cut-off and COVID-19 could be safely ruled out in more than one third of HCWs. Conclusion: The CoLab-score is an easy and reliable algorithm that can be used for screening HCWs with COVID-19 related complaints. A major advantage of this approach is that the results of the score are available within 1 hour after collecting the samples. This results in a faster return to labour process of a large part of the COVID-19 negative HCWs (34%), next to a reduction in RT-PCR tests (reagents and labour costs) that can be saved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Most stink bugs (Pentatomidae) are polyphagous and feed on an array of cultivated and non-cultivated plants. Among the last, weed plants play an important role in their bioecology and pest status, particularly in the Neotropics, in where stink bugs are active during most of the year. In spite of this, the weeds role is, in general, underestimated. In this review article we present and discuss the importance of weed plants present in row crops and pasture lands, affecting stink bugs pests of major commodities in the Neotropics. We surveyed the literature and other sources (unpublished records) on the presence of stink bugs on weed plants. These plants were ranked as hosts (allowing nymph development and/or adult reproduction) or as associated plants (providing some nutrients/water/shelter, but not allowing nymph and/or adult performance). The following stink bug pest species were covered: The green-bellied stink bugs, Diceraeus furcatus (F.) and D. melacanthus Dallas; the Neotropical brown sink bug, Euschistus heros (F.); the brown-winged stink bug, Edessa meditabunda (F.); the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.); the rice stink bugs, Oebalus poecilus (Dallas) and O. ypsilongriseus (De Geer); the red-banded stink bug, Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood); the rice stalk stink bug, Tibraca limbativentris Stål; and the red-shouldered stink bug, Thyanta perditor (F.). The survey showed plants from 16 different families interacting with the 10 species of pest pentatomids analyzed, with the greater number of species of Fabaceae (16+), Poaceae (14+), and Asteraceae (7). Data demonstrated that, in the modern landscape scenario of agricultural areas in the Neotropics, highly polyphagous species, such as N. viridula, tend to suffer greater impact, while the oligophagous species, E. heros, D. furcatus, and D. melacanthus, in contrast, tend to be favored. The management of weed plants through the increase use of herbicides, multiple cropping, and the non-tillage cultivation systems seems to be the major factors influencing the interactions of stink bugs and weeds, changing the population dynamics of pest stink bugs in the Neotropics, and, consequently their pest status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STINKBUGS, OLIVE fly, OLIVE, FRUIT development, BROWN marmorated stink bug, INTRODUCED organisms, and LEAFHOPPERS

Olives, Olea europaea L. (Oleaceae), are an emerging commercial crop in Florida; however, potential arthropod threats during olive tree establishment and fruit development remain uncharacterized. Two potential pests that may threaten olive fruit production directly are native and invasive pentatomid stink bugs, which are important pest species of many crops in the southeast, and the invasive olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae),which is not known to be established in Florida. Monitoring for stink bugs during fruit maturation was done using dual funnel tube traps baited with stink bug lures. Yellow sticky card traps baited with food and pheromone lures were used to monitor for the olive fruit fly. Both trap types were placed in tree canopies in 4 North Central Florida olive groves during the anticipated fruit development period for 2 growing seasons. Whereas neither of the invasive species targeted (Halyomorpha halys Stål [Hemiptera: Pentatomidae] or B. oleae) were detected, several other potential pests were identified including brown stink bugs (Euschistus spp.; Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), glassy winged sharpshooters, Homalodisca vitripennis Germar (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), and grasshoppers. No fruit damage attributable to arthropod pests was detected although fruit production was very low with limited samples. These results contribute to awareness of potential pests that may jeopardize olive fruit production and aid in the future studies to develop effective monitoring activities for Florida growers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BROWN marmorated stink bug, STINKBUGS, HEMIPTERA, GREENHOUSES, ADULTS, and COWPEA

Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a pest of concern that must be controlled for market access of host material and regulated articles to certain countries. This work outlines a rearing system for BMSB on live cowpea plants, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (Fabales: Fabaceae), including methods to induce adults to both enter and exit diapause. This scalable system affords continuous access to >600 specimens per week of each life stage and/or age group, which is particularly advantageous when developing treatment efficacy data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STINKBUGS, BROWN marmorated stink bug, CYTOCHROME oxidase, GENETIC variation, and HEMIPTERA

The arrival, establishment and pest status of Halyomorpha halys in Europe and non-native countries in Asia have been well-documented, with thorough characterisation of the genetic diversity and occurrence of cytochrome oxidase I (COI) haplotypes in Switzerland, France, Hungary, Italy and Greece. However, a number of gaps exist in terms of the characterisation of the haplotype diversity and occurrence of H. halys along the invasion front that covers eastern Europe, western and central Asia. To contribute towards filling this gap, the COI haplotype diversity and distribution were investigated for H. halys collected in Serbia, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia and Kazakhstan. A total of 646 specimens were analysed and five haplotypes were found (H1, H3, H8, H33 and H80). Haplotype H1 was present in all five countries investigated and was the only haplotype detected amongst > 500 specimens collected from Ukraine, Russia and Georgia. H1 (82%) was the dominant haplotype found in Kazakhstan, alongside H3 (18%). In contrast to the low or no diversity observed in these four countries, Serbia had higher haplotype diversity and was represented by five haplotypes. Although H3 was dominant (47%) in Serbia, H1 was also prevalent (40%); the remaining haplotypes (H8, H33 and H80) were minor contributors (1-11%) to the haplotype composition. The results are discussed in context with other known populations in neighbouring countries and patterns of haplotype diversity indicate the movement of successful invasive populations in Europe to generate secondary invasions along the eastern front of the invasion in Eurasia. Possible scenarios regarding the spread of particular haplotypes in these regions are discussed, along with suggestions for future research to fill existing gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BROWN marmorated stink bug, PREDATORY insects, ORCHARDS, ANTS, HYMENOPTERA, and PREDATORY animals

In recent years, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae, Cappaeini) has become an invasive pest in North America and Europe, where it caused extensive damage to agriculture, resulting in great economic losses. Evaluating the potential of native predators in the invaded areas, ants might represent good candidates thanks to their biology, ecology, and behavior. In Italy, H. halys proved to be the top key pest in pear orchards, where the black garden ant, Lasius niger (L.) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae, Lasiini), is the most abundant ant species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predatory ability of L. niger on the eggs and on all the juvenile instars of H. halys under laboratory conditions. The results indicate that L. niger significantly reduces the survival of the second and third nymphal instars by 56 and 58%, respectively, but it is unable to reduce the egg hatching and the survival of the first, fourth, and fifth instars. Our preliminary results obtained in laboratory conditions suggest a possible role of the ant L. niger in controlling H. halys invasion mainly acting on the smaller and more mobile nymphal stages. The effective role of this species as potential biocontrol agents of H. halys in fruit orchards in association with other ant species as well as with other predatory insects is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STINKBUGS, BROWN marmorated stink bug, PREDATION, HEMIPTERA, SPECIES, and LANDSCAPES

This study evaluated parasitism and predation on sentinel egg masses of three stink bug species, the spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say), the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say), and the invasive brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Stål), in ornamental landscapes composed of either native or exotic plants. This study also compared the species composition of parasitoids attacking two native stink bug species (P. maculiventris and E. servus) with those attacking the invasive BMSB on the same tree species in the same habitat. Overall, egg parasitism and predation were much higher on the two native stink bug species compared with BMSB, with an average parasitism rate of 20.6% for E. servus , 12.7% for P. maculiventris , and only 4.2% for H. halys and an average predation rate of 8.2% for E. servus, 17.7% for P. maculiventris, and 2.3% for H. halys. Egg predation was also significantly higher on P. maculiventris than on E. servus eggs. Eight parasitoid species attacked sentinel stink bug eggs in the ornamental landscaped plots. Trissolcus euschisti (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was the predominant parasitoid for all three stink bug species. There were no significant differences in parasitism and predation rates on any of the stink bug species between native and exotic plots. Therefore, there is no evidence that ornamental landscapes composed of native plants increased parasitism or predation rates of sentinel egg masses of two native stink bug species or the invasive BMSB, compared with those composed entirely of exotic plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STINKBUGS, BROWN marmorated stink bug, BIOLOGICAL control of insects, HEMIPTERA, BIOLOGICAL pest control agents, BIOLOGICAL pest control, and INTEGRATED pest control

Invasive stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are responsible for high economic losses to agriculture on a global scale. The most important species, dating from recent to old invasions, include Bagrada hilaris (Burmeister), Halyomorpha halys (Stål), Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood), Nezara viridula (L.), and Murgantia histrionica (Hahn). Bagrada hilaris, H. halys, and N. viridula are now almost globally distributed. Biological control of these pests faces a complex set of challenges that must be addressed to maintain pest populations below the economic injury level. Several case studies of classical and conservation biological control of invasive stink bugs are reported here. The most common parasitoids in their geographical area of origin are egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae, Encyrtidae, and Eupelmidae). Additionally, native parasitoids of adult stink bugs (Diptera: Tachinidae) have in some cases adapted to the novel hosts in the invaded area and native predators are known to prey on the various instars. Improving the efficacy of biocontrol agents is possible through conservation biological control techniques and exploitation of their chemical ecology. Moreover, integration of biological control with other techniques, such as behavioural manipulation of adult stink bugs and plant resistance, may be a sustainable pest control method within organic farming and integrated pest management programs. However, additional field studies are needed to verify the efficacy of these novel methods and transfer them from research to application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BIOLOGICAL weed control, BIOLOGICAL pest control agents, CHRYSOMELIDAE, BEETLES, HYMENOPTERA, and EUCALYPTUS

The solitary larval endoparasitoid Eadya daenerys Ridenbaugh (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a proposed biocontrol agent of Paropsis charybdis Stål (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Chrysomelinae), a pest of eucalypts in New Zealand. Eadya daenerys oviposition behaviour was examined in two assay types during host range testing, with the aim of improving ecological host range prediction. No‐choice sequential and two‐choice behavioural observations were undertaken against nine closely related species of New Zealand non‐target beetle larvae, including a native beetle, introduced weed biocontrol agents, and invasive paropsine beetles. No behavioural measure was significantly different between no‐choice and two‐choice tests. In sequential no‐choice assays the order of first presentation (target–non‐target) had no significant effect on the median number of attacks or the attack rate while on the plant. Beetle species was the most important factor. Parasitoids expressed significantly lower on‐plant attack rates against non‐targets compared to target P. charybdis larvae. The median number of attacks was always higher towards target larvae than towards non‐target larvae, except for the phylogenetically closest related non‐target Trachymela sloanei (Blackburn) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Chrysomelinae). Most non‐target larvae were disregarded upon contact, which suggests that the infrequent attack behaviour observed by two individual E. daenerys against Allocharis nr. tarsalis larvae in two‐choice tests and the frass of Chrysolina abchasica (Weise) was probably abnormal host selection behaviour. Results indicate that E. daenerys is unlikely to attack non‐target species apart from Eucalyptus‐feeding invasive paropsines (Chrysomelinae). Non‐lethal negative impacts upon less preferred non‐target larvae are possible if E. daenerys does attack them in the field; however, this is likely to be rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HYMENOPTERA, CURCULIONIDAE, HOMOPTERA, PEST control, INSECT collection & preservation, BEETLES, and HEMIPTERA

The knowledge of the entomological fauna in productive systems is important for the agroecological management since beneficial insects are a key resource for pest management in horticultural systems. Scientific information on the biodiversity present in a given area is essential as well as the ecological function and/or feeding habits of the insects. In Alto Valle de Río Negro and Neuquén, horticultural production systems can be described as highly dependent on chemical inputs for pest management and fertilization. The aim of this study is to carry out an inventory of the biodiversity of some families of Hemiptera, Coleoptera (Curculionidae) and Hymenoptera present in peri-urban and rural farms located in Neuquén and Río Negro, respectively. Insects were collected through pitfall and sweeping net on tomato and pepper crops and the surrounding non-cultivated areas. Idiosystatus Berg (Auchenorrhyncha) was cited for the first time from Argentina. Species cited for the first time from Neuquén: Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Acanalonia chloris (Berg), Syncharina punctatissima (Signoret), Amplicephalus dubius Linnavuori, Exitianus obscurinervis (Stål), Agalliana ensigera Oman and Bergallia signata (Stål); Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Harmostes (Harmostes) prolixus Stål and Atrachelus (Atrachelus) cinereus (Fabricius); Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Hypurus bertrandi (Perris), Naupactus leucoloma Boheman, Otiorhynchus rugosostriatus (Goeze) and Sitona discoideus Gyllenhal and Hymenoptera: Xylocopa (Neoxylocopa) augusti Lepeletier and Pseudagapostemon (Neagapostemon) singularis Jörgensen. Species cited for the first time from Río Negro: Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Amplicephalus dubius Linnavuori, Amplicephalus marginellanus Linnavuori, Circulifer tenellus (Baker) and Xerophloea viridis (Fabricius); Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus (Spinola), Atrachelus (Atrachelus) cinereus (Fabricius), Dichelops furcatus (Fabricius) and Harmostes (Harmostes) prolixus Stål; Coleptera: Curculionidae: Naupactus xanthographus (Germar) and Hymenoptera: Diadasia pereyrae (Holmberg) and Dialictus autranellus (Vachal). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STINKBUGS, POPULATION dynamics, RICE, PEST control, and PADDY fields

The rice stem stink bug, Tibraca limbativentris Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is one of the most harmful insects for Brazilian rice fields. Aiming to define the most appropriate time and place for pest management measures in commercial paddy fields, we adjusted regression models (Poisson, Zero Inflated Poisson, reparametrized Zero Inflated Poisson, Negative Binomial and Zero Inflated Negative Binomial) for modeling the population variation of T. limbativentris along the phenological cycle of the flooded rice cultivation. We hypothesize that the rice stem stink bug population's size is influenced by the rice cycle (time) and geographical positions within the crop. It was possible to predict the occurrence of the rice stem stink bug in the commercial flooded rice crop. The population of the rice stem stink bug increased significantly with the time or phenological evolution of rice. Our results indicated that the start of T. limbativentris monitoring should occur up to 45 d After Plant Emergence (DAE), from the regions along the edges of the rice paddies, which are the points of entry and higher concentration of the insect. In addition, 45 and 60 DAE were considered the crucial times for T. limbativentris control decision making in flooded rice paddies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SESAME, BOTANICAL insecticides, INSECTICIDES, CARDIAC glycosides, INSECT mortality, HEMIPTERA, and EXTRACTS

A study was conducted to investigate the insecticidal potency of leaf and stem ethanolic extracts of white sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) on the pod-sucking bug (Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stal.) under laboratory conditions. Four different concentrations of the extracts (5.00, 10.00, 15.00 and 20.00 mg/l) of ethanolic extracts were prepared from the leaf and stem parts of the Sesame plant. Water and Cypermethrin were used as negative and positive controls. Fresh cowpea pods were treated with the various concentrations of the stem and leaf ethanolic extracts and the pod-sucking bugs were introduced into the jars containing the pods. The result obtained revealed significant differences (P≤0.05) in the effect of various concentrations in inducing mortality of the insects at different instars. The extracts were more effective in the first (1st) instars against the pod-sucking bugs. The activity is concentration dependent as it increases with increase in concentration of the extract. However, leaf ethanolic extract proved to be more effective. More so, the percentages of pods infested by the bugs were found to be lower among the 20.00 mg/l treated pods in both stem and leaf ethanolic extracts. The phytochemical result indicated the presence of certain phytochemicals such as alkaloids, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, diterpenoids, flavonoids, proteins, saponins, steroids, tannins and triterpenoids that were proved to be vital in the insecticidal activity of the extracts. Thus, the stem and leaf ethanolic extracts of sesame are effective botanical insecticides against C. tomentosicollis especially at 20.00 mg/l of the leaf extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TAMARISKS, ASSASSIN bugs, LIFE history theory, PREDATORY animals, BODY size, and NATURAL history

The harpactorine assassin bug, Zelus tetracanthus (Stål) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), is an insect predator frequently found in surveys of saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) in Oklahoma. Previous studies in a laboratory showed it could prey on Diorhabda carinulata (Desbrochers) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a recently introduced biological control agent for Tamarix. An F2 cohort of Z. tetracanthus was reared from egg to adult to measure stage-specific development rates and describe immature stages at 22 ± 1.0°C and 16:8 light:dark hours. The mean times for development of the five instars were 6.96 ± 0.13, 5.18 ± 0.13, 6.94 ± 0.29, 10.92 ± 0.43, and 17.93 ± 0.76 days, respectively. Several anatomical characters to distinguish instars, including body size, body color, and select morphological characters were described. Data from museum collections of Z. tetracanthus suggested the insect has a univoltine life cycle. The development data contrast with a previous description of Z. socius (= Z. tetracanthus) and illustrate the need to further study the variable morphology, natural history, and genetic makeup of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BROWN marmorated stink bug, STINKBUGS, HEMIPTERA, ORNAMENTAL trees, and FARM produce

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), is a polyphagous pest that feeds on a wide variety of agricultural commodities including tree fruits, berries, vegetables, field crops, and ornamental trees and shrubs. Accurate knowledge of where H. halys lays eggs is critical to optimize the potential release of Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead), a scelionid egg parasitoid native to the same host region as H. halys. Ideally, parasitoids should be released in and around areas with high host density. In southwestern Virginia in 2017 and 2018, we searched trees for egg masses in an urban environment and nonmanaged wooded border environment. We also evaluated the effects of a commercial aggregation lure on the number of eggs being deposited. This aggregation lure, when combined with methyl (E , E , Z)-2,4,6-decatrienoate (MDT), has been shown to attract both adult and nymph H. halys and its effects on egg laying were not known. Results of this study showed no difference between the number of eggs laid on trees with and without lures. Catalpa trees, Catalpa bignonioides Walter, had the most egg masses throughout the course of the study; however, the redbud, Cercis canadensis L., had similar numbers in the late July and August. There was an overall trend with more eggs masses found on trees with fruiting structures present. This information can provide insight on where and when to make augmentative releases of egg parasitoids for H. halys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]