Agricultural and Forest Entomology (2016) 18, 22-34

Shahar Samra, Murad Ghanim, Alex Protasov and Zvi Mendel (2016)
Seasonal history, plant interactions and egg parasitism of the variegated caper bug Stenozygum coloratum Klug (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)
Agricultural and Forest Entomology 18 (1), 22-34
Abstract: - The variegated caper bug Stenozygum coloratum Klug is common in the Middle East, where it is a minor agricultural pest.
- Recently, it was found that S. coloratum is an alternative host for the egg parasitoid Ooencyrtus pityocampae Mercet, an important natural enemy of the pine processionary moth Thaumetopoea wilkinsoni Tams, a major pest of pines.
- This discovery, coupled with the general lack of knowledge of S. coloratum, prompted the present study, which focused on seasonal activity of S. coloratum in Israeli pine forests, bidirectional interactions between the bug and its host the caper plant Capparis spp., and parasitism of its eggs.
- Stenozygum coloratum activity lasted mainly from May to October, and was followed by an adult winter diapause.
- Individuals formed large aggregations, causing early withering of plants and a shortening their annual growth periods.
- Reproductive activity peaked in August and ended in September. Egg parasitism rates increased throughout this period.
- Several Ooencyrtus spp., including known natural enemies of various pests, parasitized the eggs of S. coloratum and other associated pentatomids found on the caper plants. Thus, capers probably serve as a refuge for these potentially important egg parasitoids.
- The potential of caper plants and their fauna for biological control programmes is discussed.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Shahar Samra, Zvi Mendel, Murad Ghanim, Alexey Protasov

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
population dynamics/ epidemiology
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Stenozygum coloratum	Caper (Capparis)	Israel
Ooencyrtus pityocampae (parasitoid)	Stenozygum coloratum	Caper (Capparis)	Israel
Ooencyrtus telenomicida (parasitoid)	Stenozygum coloratum	Caper (Capparis)	Israel