Observing natural enemies of brown marmorated stink bugs (Pentatomidae: Halyomorpha halys) using video surveillance in south-central Michigan

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys, is considered a pest species throughout much of the United States since its accidental introduction in 1996. The BMSB has the potential to become a serious threat to Michigan's agricultural output, as it feeds on a large variety of fruits and vegetables and will likely be capable of multiple generations in a single season. Our objective was to determine possible natural enemies of BMSB in Michigan. This study was a replicated field experiment in which we monitored for natural enemies of BMSB eggs over 10 weeks. We set up 6 video surveillance systems at each of our two field sites in south-central Michigan. We pinned a single BMSB egg mass onto tomato and apples leaves in the field, and monitored 3 tomato leaves and 3 apple leaves at each site with one camera per egg mass. Six frozen egg masses were also placed in the same manner at each site but were not under surveillance. Each egg mass was left out for 48 hours and retrieved for inspection for damage and retained to allow for parasitoid emergence. The video data were watched to identify and quantify the causes of damage to the egg masses. Parasitoids and predators found in video recordings and on or emerging from the egg masses were identified down to Family when possible. Predation and parasitism rates varied greatly between sites and between crop type. Identifying the major natural enemies of the BMSB will be important for understanding potential biological management.