Investigation on dispersion and feeding behavior of non-native stink bugs, related to interactions with their environment

Halyomorpha halys Stål (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae) is an invasive stink bug coming
from Eastern Asia. Besides causing important yields losses in orchards, crop and
vegetable fields, it overwinters inside houses as agglomerates of dozens. In the USA,
this Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) has been first observed in Pennsylvania.
Fifteen years later, it is well established in 41 states. In Europe, BMSB was
accidentally introduced in Switzerland in 2007 and has been later observed in
surrounding countries (France, Italy, Germany). Based on the US situation, we can
reasonably fear that BMSB will have colonized most of Europe countries in less than a
decade. This stink bug is not recorded in EPPO quarantine lists, though.
According to our investigation on the interactions between stink bugs and their host
plants, complementary behavioural and electrophysiological approaches were
developed using BMSB. Also, comparative experiments with another non-native stink
bug already well established in Europe, namely Nezara viridula L., were performed.
After comparing the feeding and dispersion behaviours of both bugs, the impact of
entomopathogenic fungi on bug behaviour was investigated. Our results will be
discussed to present changes according to bug species, host plant and healthy/fungal
infested status, in relation to potential biological control for these pests.