Initiation of a monitoring programme for early detection of halyomorpha halys in cyprus by using pheromone-baited traps and involving citizen science

Abstract

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug Halyomorpha halys is native to East Asia and was first detected in Switzerland, Europe in 2004. It is now widespread throughout continental Europe and has recently been reported on several islands in the Mediterranean Sea. In the Eastern Mediterranean, it has been recorded in Greece, Turkey and most probably Egypt, but there is no information regarding its occurrence in the Republic of Cyprus. Therefore, in September 2019, a survey at potential points of entry and arrivals was carried out by setting pheromone traps of the pest in the vicinity of airports, harbours as well as next to importers’ trade warehouses in the country. This stink bug monitoring programme in September and October was completed with an awareness campaign, which consisted of the establishment of a citizen science initiative for the early warning of this alien pest by disseminating an alert letter titled “Bug Alert Cyprus” in English and Greek to various target groups. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first CS initiative in Cyprus focusing on the early detection of a polyphagous agricultural and nuisance pest. The lack of H. halys captured during the trapping period, and the absence of reports from citizens seem to indicate that H. halys had not reached this European island country up to January 2020. The methodology we applied and our further recommendations may foster further CS activities combined with targeted trappings to give an early warning and enable the detection of H. halys as effectively as possible on European islands as well as on other remote or isolated parts of the world not yet invaded by this pest.