Rice stink bug parasitoid diversity in the Florida Everglades agricultural area

Two species of stink bugs, Oebalus insularis and Oebalus pugnax, are major insect pests of rice in Florida. O. pugnax occurs in rice producing regions throughout the southern region of United States, whereas O. insularis is only found infesting rice in Florida. The present study aimed to identify egg parasitoids of rice stink bugs and estimate parasitism rates in conventional and organic rice fields of the Everglades Agricultural Area. Commercial fields were sampled between summer and fall of 2022 and 2024. Wild rice stink bug eggs naturally laid on rice plants were collected during visual inspections of the fields. All Oebalus spp. eggs were kept in the laboratory until the emergence of microwasps, which were identified to species. This study represents a foundation for a biological control program targeting rice stink bugs, which might have potential as suggested by the relatively high parasitism rates associated with parasitoid wasps such as Telenomus podisi.