Representatives of the genus 'Trissolcus' (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) on the territory of Serbia, natural enemies of pests of Pentatomidae family (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Abstract

Different types of polyphagous true bug pests are present in Serbia and countries in the region, many of which stand out as significant pests of agricultural crops. Among the harmful true bugs, the green vegetable bug, Nezara viridula Linnaeus, 1758 and the brown marble bug Halyomorpha halys Stål, 1855 (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) are the species that currently attract attention the most, primarily because of their invasive and polyphagous nautre and ability to migrate rapidly from one crop to another. In many regions, where harmful bugs cause large economic losses, control strategies are primarily based on the application of chemicals. In addition to chemical control measures, biological control measures are increasingly present, which are based on the application of natural enemies of pests. Species from the genus Trissolcus (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) show the best results in the biological control of polyphagous true bug. The species that has been commercially used for many years to control harmful Hemiptera is Trissolcus basalis Wollaston, 1958, which is one of the most important natural enemies of the green vegetable bug in the World. The species Trissolcus japonicus Ashmead, 1904 and Trissolcus mitsukurii Ashmead, 1904 have been identified as the predominant parasitoids of the brown marble bug and show great potential in the biological control of this harmful species. Representatives of the genus Trissolcus are also registered on the territory of Serbia, which opens the possibility of including native species of the genus Trissolcus in the strategies of biological control of true bug pests on the territory of Serbia and the region.