Current progress on the classical biological control of brown marmorated stink bug in California

For four years, the California Department of Food and Agriculture Biological Control Program has been researching, rearing, and releasing a co-evolved predator, Samurai Wasp (Trissolcus japonicus) of brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) (BMSB) throughout the interior, coastal, and northern parts of California in an effort to redistribute this parasitoid into key agricultural and urban BMSB hot spots. Continued parasitoid releases have been conducted up to multiple times each season since first obtaining a permit with an emphasis on monitoring establishment. Discussed here is the final release season for this parasitoid by the Biological Control Program and the future of this project in California.