Utilizing Citizen Scientists to elucidate the biology and ecology of Anastatus reduvii, a potential biological control of Halyomorpha halys

Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), the brown marmorated stink bug, is an invasive insect from Eastern Asia. Halyomorpha halys is now found in several states within the United States and four Canadian provinces where it damages economically important crops and ornamental plants. Biological control is a sustainable method of suppressing H. halys, but further information is needed. Anastatus reduvii, a generalist egg parasitoid, has been found to be the dominant native parasitoid that can successfully parasitize and emerge from H. halys eggs. In parts of the U.S., Anastatus reduvii has the potential to be a viable biological control agent of H. halys, however, there requires a better understanding of A. reduvii’s life history. Using Citizen Scientists, we investigate stink bug egg parasitoids' and specifically A. reduvii's host range and host plant associations throughout Maryland. Results will be discussed in the context of improving conservation and augmentative biological control of H. halys.