Natural Parasitism of <i>Nezara viridula</i> (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) by <i>Trichopoda pictipennis</i> Bigot (Diptera: Tachinidae) in an Organic Strawberry Field in Germany

ABSTRACT Conservation biological control aims to enhance populations of resident natural enemies through habitat diversification and the provision of additional or alternative food close to or within cropping systems. Here, we report the occurrence of natural parasitism of the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), in an organically managed, conservation‐oriented strawberry system with adjacent companion plantings, including floral resources. In July and August 2024, a total of 783 N. viridula individuals were collected by hand. Of these, 134 individuals were found to show macrotype eggs of a parasitic tachinid fly, resulting in a parasitism rate of 17.11%. The developmental stages, sex, and locations of the tachinid ovipositions were recorded and analyzed. The parasitized stink bugs were subsequently maintained under controlled conditions until the pupation of the tachinids. The emerged adults were morphologically identified as Trichopoda pictipennis Bigot (Diptera: Tachinidae). Additionally, DNA was extracted, the COI gene was amplified and sequenced, and the resulting sequences were uploaded into the NCBI GenBank. The results show that T. pictipennis has no oviposition preference between male and female stink bugs. In addition, oviposition was significantly preferred on the dorsal body side of the bugs. This study discusses the potential of companion planting in organic strawberry production and its role in facilitating the natural establishment of T. pictipennis . Furthermore, we address the gaps in the distribution knowledge of T. pictipennis , highlight the challenges of morphological identification that have led to numerous misidentifications across Europe in recent years, and emphasize the current lack of molecular reference data.