Project properties
Title <b><i>Screening and evaluation of existing arthropod predators against various life stages of Nezara viridula (Linnaeus, 1758) and Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)<i><b>
Group Entomology, Laboratory of
Project type thesis
Credits 24-39
Supervisor(s) Raghavendra Reddy Manda
Examiner(s) Gerben Messelink and Bregje Wertheim
Contact info raghavendrareddy.manda@wur.nl
Begin date 2024/10/01
End date 2025/09/30
Description Are you passionate about solving real-world challenges in greenhouse horticulture? Do you want to contribute to sustainable pest management practices? Are you excited by the idea of combining fundamental research with applied solutions? If so, this project at the Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture in Bleiswijk is perfect for you.

Project description:

Background: Greenhouse horticulture, with its intense and year-round cultivation, necessitates robust crop protection. Many Dutch greenhouse growers still rely on pesticides to combat various pests and use biological pest control as one of the ways to manage pests. However, these pesticides can harm the environment, including soil, water, and biodiversity. Hence, eco-friendly alternatives like biological pest control, are crucial. The challenge has been intensified by the increasing presence of invasive stink bugs such as Nezara viridula (Linnaeus, 1758) and Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). In Dutch greenhouses, the polyphagous N. viridula causes severe damage to crops like sweet peppers. Additionally, the recent arrival of H. halys in the Netherlands, which has already caused significant economic losses across the European Union, presents a major threat to Dutch crops. The coexistence of these pests could result in devastating crop losses. The lack of effective biological control agents necessitates frequent chemical applications, which severely disrupt existing integrated pest management (IPM) systems by negatively affecting natural enemies and beneficial organisms. This threatens greenhouse cultivation, especially for sweet pepper growers, highlighting the urgent need for an efficient biological control strategy. Currently, the only available option is Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston, 1858) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), an egg parasitoid capable of parasitizing the eggs of N. viridula. However, relying on this single-strategy approach is neither effective nor sustainable. A more robust and long-term solution involves integrating multiple strategies, combining parasitoids with predators and other IPM tactics to provide a comprehensive and resilient pest management approach in greenhouse environments. Parasitoids alone cannot fully control N. viridula populations. Despite their use, a significant number of eggs still hatch, allowing nymphs to emerge and develop. These nymphs can be effectively targeted by predators. Therefore, to complement the action of parasitoids, it is crucial to first evaluate the efficacy of various existing (commercially available in the Netherlands) generalist predators against different life stages of N. viridula and H. halys.

Your role: Through your MSc thesis/research practice/internship, you will assess the efficacy of selected commercially available generalist arthropod predators in the Netherlands against N. viridula and H. halys. The evaluation will focus on predators commonly used in sweet pepper and other solanaceous crop production systems to determine if they effectively target any life stages of N. viridula and/or H. halys. This study aims to determine whether existing generalist predators can reduce populations of these invasive stink bugs. The research will start with controlled laboratory experiments, followed by small-scale cage trials. These trials will measure predation rates, predator survivorship, prey preference, and overall efficiency in managing N. viridula and H. halys populations.

The start and end dates of the projects are flexible and can be discussed. For more information, please contact: raghavendrareddy.manda@wur.nl
Used skills Literature review, experimental designing, insect biology, insect rearing and handling, predator-prey interactions, data collection, data visualization, statistical analyses, scientific writing, collaboration, team work.
Requirements 1. For doing a BSc-thesis at the Laboratory of Entomology (Ento), there are no requirements for specific courses.

2. For doing a MSc-thesis or Research Practice at Ento, the following requirements apply:
A. ENT-30806 Fundamental and Applied Aspects of the Biology of Insects, and at least one of the following courses:
• ENT-53806 Biological Control of Insects
• ENT-30306 Ecological Aspects of Bio-interactions,
• PHP-30806 Molecular Aspects of Bio-interactions,
• ENT-50806 Insect-Plant Interactions.

3. For doing an Internship, the following requirements apply: ENT-30806 Fundamental and Applied Aspects of the Biology of Insects.

Note:
1. These requirements do not apply for MBI students;
2. MBI students should check the requirements for doing an ENT MSc thesis, research practice, or internship in the study program of their specialization.