266 Invasive Stink Bugs and Related Species (Pentatomoidea)
Witches’-broom is one of the most problematic diseases in paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa) planta-
tions in Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan. Specifically, in Korea, paulownia
plantations in the 1970s and 1980s were devastated by the witches’-broom disease. The causal agent is
a phytoplasma that can be transmitted to periwinkle [Catharanthus roseus (L.)] by Halyomorpha halys
(Bak et al. 1993). The phytoplasma overwinters in xylem and spreads throughout the plant in spring. In
general, infected paulownia trees die within 2 years; big trees can live longer but eventually die (Bak et
al. 1993). Populations of H. halys peak two times on paulownia in May–July and August–October (Fujiie
1985). The rate of the pathogen transmission to paulownia seedlings by the nymphs is 41–62%, which is
higher than that by adults (14%) (Yu and Zhang 2007).
Damage to Cymbidium (Orchidaceae) and matrimony vine, Lycium chinense Mill (Solanales:
Solanaceae) by Halyomorpha halys has been reported in Asia. The bug significantly reduces the quality
of Cymbidium, a major export orchid in Korea, by feeding on leaves (Cho et al. 2013). Matrimony vine
is cultivated for medicinal herbs in Asia, and both Plautia stali and H. halys damage the vine by feeding
on fruit in late July. Serious economic damage has been reported on farms under environment-friendly
management (Ryu et al. 2013).
4.5.1.2 Management of Halyomorpha halys in Asia
4.5.1.2.1 Chemical Control Including Semiochemicals
Asian countries heavily rely on chemical control to manage Halyomorpha halys. For example, frequent
spraying with organophosphate insecticides is recommended in persimmon with two to three sprays per
week when outbreaks occur (Adachi 1998). Consequently, susceptibility of H. halys to pesticides also
has been tested extensively. These pesticides include carbamates, organophosphates, organochlorines,
pyrethroids, and neonicotinoids (see Lee et al. 2013a for a detailed list of the insecticides used against
H. halys in Asia). Qin (1990) suggested controlling nymphs of H. halys with insecticides in orchards
because they cannot fly during or after insecticide application, whereas the adults readily can fly and,
thus, re-invade the orchards. In addition, insecticide application on the periphery of the control area or
trees outside the orchard is suggested as a preventative management strategy for this bug (Qin 1990).
Semiochemicals also have been developed and used for monitoring and mass-trapping Halyomorpha
halys in Asia. Seasonal occurrence of H. halys generally is monitored by using mercury light traps and
an aggregation pheromone of Plautia stali, methyl (E, E, Z)-2, 4, 6-decatrienoate (Lee et al. 2002).
H. halys adults are caught in mercury light traps during late July, whereas the aggregation pheromone
attracts this bug during mid-May. In addition, Zhang et al. (2007) suggested a recipe for poisoned bait
as a stink bug lure: one part of 20% fenpropathrin fenpropanate butter, 20 parts of honey, and 19 parts
of water. They also suggested applying the bait to branches of old paulownia or Chinese scholar trees,
which will be effective for 10 days to attract and kill H. halys.
4.5.1.2.2 Biological Control
Many natural enemies of Halyomorpha halys are recorded from Asia. Qiu (2007) reported six egg para-
sitoids in the genera Trissolcus, Telenomus, Anastatus, Ooencyrtus, and Acroclisoides (the latter is prob-
ably a hyperparasitoid). In addition, three predators killing H. halys were reported by Qiu (2007): Orius
sp. (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), Arma chinensis (Fallou) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), and Misumena
tricuspidata (F.) (Araneida: Thomisidae). Among these natural enemies, the predominant species was
Trissolcus halyomorphae Yang (Yang et al. 2009) [now synonymized as Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead)
by Talamas et al. 2013]: its rate of parasitism ranged from 20 –70% with an average of 50% (Qiu 2007).
Li (2002) subsequently reported up to 80% egg parasitism by T. japonicus, a figure consistent with recent
surveys (T. Haye 2014; K. Hoelmer, unpublished).
Qiu (2007) presented a detailed life history of T. japonicus (as T. halyomorphae), a solitary egg para-
sitoid that typically attacks 100% of the eggs in the host egg mass. Male wasps emerge earlier than
females and wait for females to emerge in order to mate. Females preferred newly laid host eggs and laid
an average of 40.6 eggs. The developmental period from egg to adult could be as short as 7 days at 30°C,
and peak activity of the adults was from mid-June to early August in the field; thus, several generations
can occur in the field.