Impact of natural enemy populations on Halyomorpha halys in organic and conventional vegetables in western North Carolina

Halyomorpha halys (Stål), the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), is an invasive species first detected in Pennsylvania in the 1990s and early 2000s. Since its introduction to the U.S., it has spread through the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions feeding on tree fruits and vegetables, causing severe damage especially in organic crops. Understanding the population dynamics of this invasive species and how biological control agents interact with it will give insight to devising management strategies; currently there are limited options for managing this pest in organic systems. Sentinel egg masses were used to assess parasitism of BMSB eggs by native stink bug parasites (Telenomus and Trissolcus spp.) and predation by generalist predators on pepper and tomato plants.  Eggs were returned to the laboratory after 3 and 7 days and checked for the number of parasites emerging, number of eggs fed on by predators, and number of hatched and unhatched eggs. Timed searches and traps were used to monitor generalist predators and BMSB to compare BMSB population dynamics in organic and conventional vegetable systems.