The samurai wasp (Trissolcus japonicus): a biological control agent against the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys)

Abstract

The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys Stål, 1855) has emerged in recent years as one of the most important invasive agricultural pests worldwide, causing signif-icant economic losses particularly in fruit, hazelnut, and vegetable production. Consider-ing the limitations of chemical control methods, such as residue problems, negative im-pacts on natural enemies, and resistance development, biological control has been recog-nized as a sustainable alternative. In this context, the Asian egg parasitoid samurai wasp (Trissolcus japonicus) is regarded as one of the most promising biological control agents globally, due to its high parasitism capacity, multivoltine life cycle, and strong ecological synchrony with its host. In Turkey, the increasing threat of H. halys to agricultural produc-tion further underscores the importance of biological control strategies. Ongoing studies on the laboratory rearing and field release of the samurai wasp indicate that this species could be integrated into national pest management programs, thereby reducing reliance on chemical control and providing an environmentally friendly management model. Nevertheless, assessing the adaptability and effectiveness of the species under different agroecosystem conditions, as well as evaluating its potential responses to climate change, are considered critical for the development of long-term and sustainable biological control strategies.