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Facilitative Parasitization of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Eggs Between Native and Invasive Trissolcus Wasps

Year: 2023


Presenter Name: Zachary Ross

Description
The continuing and increasing presence of invasive species across the United States continues to create more and more interspecific interactions between species. My research aims to identify a relationship between the invasive Trissolcus japonicus and the native Trissolcus euschisti, and whether or not a facilitative parasitic relationship exists between native and invasive species of wasp. I expected to find a beneficial effect given to the native wasps due to this relationship, with more successful emergences being seen when egg masses have been previously parasitized by the invasive species. To test this claim, Halyomorpha hals egg masses were exposed to wasps in three different sets of trials. First, both species were given egg masses to parasitize independently, allowing for accurate measurements of parasitization without the influence of another wasp. The third set of trials involved placing one wasp after another, giving each a set amount of time to parasitize before being removed and replaced with the competitor. Through comparison and analysis of the different results, both beneficial and deleterious, we can begin to form a more complete picture of how they might interact with each other, and what this could mean for both species. The results gathered lend insight into how the invasive wasp is interacting with natives as it becomes more and more established across the country, as well as how the native is faring with the introduction of a new invasive competitor. Not only could this shed insight into how the two different wasp species interact, but it could also provide insight into how the invasive Halyomorpha halys is being hindered by native species, as well as how the native species may be benefiting from an additional host.
University / Institution: Utah State University
Type: Poster
Format: In Person
Presentation #C18
SESSION C (1:45-3:15PM)
Area of Research: Science & Technology
Faculty Mentor: Diane Alston