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The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a highly polyphagous pest that causes severe damage to a wide range of hosts by feeding on vegetative and reproductive organs of plants, as well as on seeds. The aim of the present study was to determine if BMSB injures hemp seeds and to what the extent of this injury was, in terms of seed weight and quality. At the growth stage of the formation of female inflorescence, a BMSB individual was inserted into separate sleeve cages that were placed on the top of female industrial hemp plants. The entire procedure was repeated at two more growth stages, 20 and 40 days after the formation of the female inflorescence. According to our results, no differences were observed among infested and non-infested plants regarding seed weight and percentage of empty seeds. Conversely, infested plants displayed significantly lower mean protein content 20 days after the formation of the female inflorescence. Likewise, infested plants exhibited the lowest mean oil content 20 days after the formation of the female inflorescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is a pentatomid bug that feeds on a wide range of economically important crops. Crop protection in newly invaded areas mainly relies on the use of broad-spectrum chemical insecticides, while little to no information is available regarding a classical biological control approach. The overall purpose of the present study was to estimate the parasitism rate and development time of the native egg parasitoid Ooencyrtus telenomicida Vassiliev (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) when offered H. halys egg-masses, taking into consideration several parameters. Specifically, we tested different parasitoid ages and densities on 1–4-day-old H. halys eggs. According to our results, parasitoid density and the age of host eggs significantly affected the parasitism rate of O. telenomicida. High parasitoid density along with younger host eggs led to higher parasitism rates. Likewise, a significant interaction was observed between the parasitoid density and their age. Successful parasitisation occurred with host eggs up to 4 days old, with parasitism rates decreasing as host egg age increased. A three-fold higher parasitism rate of H. halys eggs was observed when they were parasitised by older O. telenomicida females, compared to younger ones. Concerning the development time of O. telenomicida, individuals that developed in younger host eggs displayed a shorter development time. Parasitoid age did not affect the development time of O. telenomicida, nor did the density of parasitoids. Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is an invasive pest species that was imported into Greece in 2011 and since then, has caused severe qualitative and quantitative damage to economically important crops. Its management relies mainly on the use of broad-spectrum insecticides, with little to no information available concerning the potential use of native parasitoids in terms of classical biological control. Our study aimed to assess the parasitism rate and development time of the gregarious egg parasitoid Ooencyrtus telenomicida (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) on H. halys egg-masses, depending on several factors such as: (i) age of parasitoids, (ii) density of parasitoids, (iii) age of host eggs, and (iv) oviposition experience of parasitoids. According to our results, the younger the host eggs and the more parasitoids, the higher the parasitism rate achieved by adults of O. telenomicida, with the maximum mean value of the parasitism rate observed with 1-day-old host eggs and 4 parasitoid pairs (57.3%). On the contrary, the lowest mean value of the parasitism rate was observed with 4-day-old host eggs and 1 parasitoid pair (6.5%). Similarly, the age of parasitoids significantly affected parasitisation. The older the parasitoids were, the higher the parasitism rate achieved by adults of O. telenomicida, with a three-fold higher parasitism rate observed at 3–4 and 5–6-day-old O. telenomicida, compared to 1–2-day-old (31.8, 32.4, and 12.1%, respectively). Individuals that developed in younger host eggs displayed a shorter development time, and the shortest development time was observed for O. telenomicida laid by 2 parasitoid pairs. Parasitoid age did not affect the development time of O. telenomicida, although there was a tendency for individuals laid by younger female parasitoids to exhibit a shorter development time. Our findings provide valuable information on the potential use of O. telenomicida as a biocontrol agent of H. halys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from plants is associated with biotic and abiotic stress and depends on the plant species, organs, and developmental stage. Insects use VOCs to locate their host plants and their behavior is heavily influenced by the chemical profile of each at its current phenological stage. The brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a highly polyphagous pest that causes significant damage to tree, vegetable, and ornamental crops worldwide. The volatile profiles of five hosts of H. halys were compared for common substances to provide insight into this insect's extreme polyphagy. Headspace collection of volatile substances was performed for five hosts of H. halys by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and their VOC profiles were compared. The results show that, although the volatile profiles of the host plants differ substantially, 13 out of the 68 identified compounds were shared. These results suggest that host recognition by H. halys is likely driven by a combination of attractive and possibly repellent compounds that work synergistically which is the first step toward decoding this pest's polyphagous nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is native to Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea. Its dispersion from Asia to the United States of America and Europe caused serious damage to fruit, vegetables, and high-value crops. In Greece, damages are reported in kiwi orchards in the regions of Pieria and Imathia, which are the main production areas of kiwifruit. Greek kiwifruit production is expected to increase twofold within the next years. The aim of this research is to study the terrain and canopy properties that may have an impact on the development of H. halys populations. Thus, five kiwi orchards in total were selected in the regions of Pieria and Imathia. Τen traps were installed from early June to late October within each selected kiwi orchard–two types of traps at every side of the orchards and the center. The installed traps were examined weekly and the number of the captured H. halys was recorded. During the same days, sentinel satellite images were analyzed to calculate the vegetation index, NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index), and NDWI (Normalised Difference Water Index). The results showed population variability within the kiwi orchards since the population of H. halys was higher in areas with high NDVI and NDWI values. Additionally, our research revealed that H. halys prefers to develop populations at higher altitudes at both regional and field scales. The results of this research can be used to reduce damages by H. halys in kiwi orchards using different rates of pesticides depending on the prediction of the population size. There are multiple benefits of the proposed practice, such as a reduction in the production cost of kiwifruits, an increase in farmers' profit, and environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability, circular economy and alternative production systems are urgent imperatives for humanity and animal husbandry. Unless wasted, agri-food by-products can offer a promising source of high value. We evaluated the effect of rice bran (RB), corncob (CC), potato peels (PP), solid biogas residues (BR), and olive-oil processing residuals (OR), as alternative substrates to wheat bran (WB as control), on the growth and nutritional value of Tenebrio molitor during its breeding for animal feeds and/or human consumption. Innovation-wise, we further investigated the substrate supplementation (0, 10, 20%) with post-distillation residues of Mediterranean aromatic-medicinal plants (MAPs: lavender, Greek oregano, rosemary, olive; 1:1:1:1 ratio). Tenebrio molitor larvae (TML) were reared in all the studied substrates, and TML and diets’ proximate and fatty acid compositions as well as total phenol and flavonoid content and antioxidant potential were assessed using standard procedures. After statistical analysis of correlations, we observed that CC promoted oviposition and progeny survival; larval weight and dry matter were positively affected mainly by dietary energy and fat content; number of TML and/or larval weight increased using 10% MAPs inclusion in WB, RB and OR or RB, OR, BR and PP, respectively, which did not affect protein content; TML fatty acid composition decreased the content of saturated ones and increased that of mono-unsaturated ones; MAPs residues had an apparent favorable impact on total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of each substrate, with RB displaying the highest capacity and content. These findings indicate that alternative substrates can be exploited and their enrichment with natural phenolics is able to influence T. molitor growth, offering highly beneficial and nutritional value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Megaselia halterata (Wood) (Diptera: Phoridae) is a major pest of cultivated white button mushrooms, Agaricus bisporus (J.E.Lange) Emil J. Imbach (Agaricales: Agaricaceae), in the United States. The incidence and severity of M. halterata have been increasing in recent years, possibly due to the removal of certain chemical pesticides from tolerance by the EPA. Farmers' demand for alternative control measures resulted in a label extension of the fungal biopesticide BotaniGard® ES, which contains viable spores of Beauveria bassiana (GHA strain), for use in mushroom crops. Here we describe laboratory bioassays to evaluate the efficacy of the label recommended dose of the abovementioned commercial biopesticide for control of immature and adult stages of M. halterata. According to our results, eggs and larvae of M. halterata were not susceptible to infection by B. bassiana whereas pupae displayed a partial susceptibility with mortality reaching up to 65%. Concerning adults of M. halterata exposure for 60 min to a paper surface sprayed with the registered label application rate of BotaniGard® ES led to 100% mortality within a period of 16 days and a mean survival time of 8.13 days, which differed significantly from the control batch, but unlikely to result in meaningful control of phorid populations in the field. Further studies should be examined to increase efficacy of the formulated product against immature and adult stages of M. halterata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), is a common pest of mushroom production in many parts of the world. Due to the reduced availability of conventional insecticides for mushroom production, M. halterata has recently developed into a major pest in the top mushroom-producing county in the United States (Chester County, PA). Mushrooms are grown entirely indoors, and though larval development of M. halterata occurs in the mushroom-growing substrate, adult flies have been captured both inside and outside of the facilities. Here, we investigated three factors that might contribute to their growth and development. 1) The effects of ambient temperature (15–30°C) and relative humidity (RH; 21–98%) on adult M. halterata lifespan, 2) the effect of spawned compost stage (freshly inoculated with spawn vs 14-d spawned compost) on reproductive output, and 3) the effect of population density on reproductive output. The longevity of adult M. halterata increased under cooler temperatures and more humid conditions (>75% RH), which reflect the conditions inside mushroom-growing facilities. Similar numbers of flies emerged from freshly inoculated and 14-d spawned compost, but flies emerged earlier from 14-d spawned compost. The higher the parental fly density, the more offspring emerged from spawned compost, but the positive relationship reached a plateau beyond 40 parental mating pairs per 100 g of compost. Our findings highlight relevant abiotic and biotic factors that may contribute to M. halterata population dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]