Natural control of the brown marmorated stink bug

Since its arrival in South Tyrol in 2016, the brown marmorated stink bug has been one of the most serious threats to fruit growing. To combat it sustainably, the fruit sector, together with the Laimburg Research Centre, is focusing on natural antagonists. The most promising is the samurai wasp (Trissolcus japonicus), which lays its eggs inside stink bug clutches, preventing new pests from hatching.

Several years of trials have shown steadily rising parasitisation rates – in some areas up to 70%. In 2023, a joint project was launched to release samurai wasps at selected sites in the Eisack Valley, Burgraviato, Unterland and Vinschgau. This marks an important step towards biological plant protection in line with sustainapple.