# Temporal Dynamics of Host Plant Use and Parasitism of Three Stink Bug Species: A Multi-Trophic Perspective

## TL;DR

This study explores how three stink bug species interact with host plants and parasitoids in South Tyrol, showing how plant diversity affects pest control and suggesting ways to improve sustainable agriculture.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the multi-trophic interactions between stink bugs, host plants, and parasitoids, emphasizing the role of plant diversity in pest management.

## Key findings

- Halyomorpha halys uses the broadest range of host plants, while Palomena prasina and Pentatoma rufipes prefer specific plant families.
- Parasitism rates vary by stink bug species and plant family, with specific parasitoids targeting each species.
- Plant diversity and spatial-temporal features influence stink bug and parasitoid distributions, suggesting benefits for sustainable pest management.

## Abstract

Stink bugs are major agricultural pests that damage crops and reduce yield. This paper examines how three stink bug species—the brown marmorated stink bug, green shield bug, and red-legged shield bug—use different host plants and how egg parasitoids interact with them. Field surveys in South Tyrol, Italy revealed that stink bugs prefer certain plant families, with maple trees being a key resource. Parasitism rates varied, with Trissolcus japonicus targeting Halyomorpha halys, Trissolcus cultratus attacking Pentatoma rufipes, and two Telenomus species parasitizing Palomena prasina. These findings highlight how plant diversity influences pest and parasitoid interactions, providing insights for sustainable pest management.

Stink bugs are widespread agricultural pests that damage crops and reduce yield. Their impact is influenced by host plant selection and interactions with natural enemies, particularly egg parasitoids. Understanding these relationships is crucial for improving biological control strategies. This paper investigates the seasonal host plant use and parasitism of Halyomorpha halys, Palomena prasina, and Pentatoma rufipes in South Tyrol, Italy. Over two years, we conducted field surveys at 27 sites, recording stink bug presence across 85 plant species and analyzing egg parasitism rates. Results show that stink bugs exhibit distinct host plant preferences, with H. halys utilizing the broadest range of host plants while P. prasina and P. rufipes showed stronger affinities for specific families such as Sapindaceae and Rosaceae. Parasitism rates varied across species and plant families: Trissolcus japonicus predominantly parasitized H. halys while T. cultratus and two Telenomus species targeted P. rufipes and P. prasina, respectively. Spatial–temporal features and host plant associations significantly influenced species distributions and parasitoid occurrence. These findings emphasize the role of plant–insect interactions in shaping pest and parasitoid dynamics. Integrating plant diversity into pest management strategies could enhance parasitoid effectiveness and reduce stink bug populations, contributing to more sustainable agricultural practices.