The influence of volatile organic compounds on the life stages of Halyomorpha halys and implications for biological control

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is a major agricultural pest in the eastern United States due to its generalist phytophagous diet. H. halys progresses through five nymphal instars before reaching adulthood. It is a significant pest both as an adult and in its nymphal stages. The samurai wasp, Trissolcus japonicus, is a parasitoid that oviposits into the eggs of its preferred host, H. halys. The parasitoid wasp T. japonicus has gained interest as a biological control mechanism to quel populations of H. halys. The efficacy of this application requires extensive understanding of the development and host-seeking behavior of H. halys and the effectiveness of T. japonicus to locate a host. Studies have shown that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be attractive to both T. japonicus and its preferred host where it acts as a kairomone. This study investigates the attractiveness of VOCs to both T. japonicus and the specific life stages of H. halys. Choice studies will be analyzed using an olfactometer to determine attractiveness of these compounds. Understanding the response of both the parasitoid and the host to volatile organic compounds can optimize biological control practices of H. halys.