The egg parasitoid Trissolcus japonicus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is the most important natural enemy suppressing the agricultural pest Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in its native range in China. Since the invasion of H. halys into the United States (first record from 1996), adventive populations of T. japonicus have been documented in several states where H. halys is present. The first report of adventive T. japonicus was in Maryland in 2014, and it is now present in at least 15 U.S. states and Washington D.C. as well as British Columbia and Ontario in Canada. Within many states where adventive populations have been documented, mass rearing and redistribution efforts are underway. Additionally, because quarantine requirements have been lifted in these areas, an increase in research capability has improved our understanding of T. japonicus biology and its impact on H. halys. We will present some highlights of this research, including studies on longevity, maximum fecundity, and attempts to understand dispersal and colonization processes as T. japonicus moves into new habitats and regions.
.jpg "Kim Alan Hoelmer photo")
