| The green stink bug (Nezara viridula) is an invasive, thermophilic pest with a broad host range that is causing increasing damage to Austrian agriculture. Small-scale vegetable farms and arable crops — especially soybeans — are particularly affected, with infestations leading to significant yield and quality losses. Currently, available control methods are often inadequate or difficult to implement in practice. Rising pest pressure, exacerbated by climate-induced population increases, underscores the urgent need for action. The aim of this project is to develop practical, ecologically sustainable, and economically viable strategies for controlling N. viridula in Austria. An integrated approach is being pursued, combining biological, mechanical, and agronomic measures. A key work package involves the systematic survey of natural enemies on soybean fields. Their presence will be documented in relation to landscape features, and their biological control potential will be assessed using standardized methods. Strategies for optimized field release of the egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis will be developed and tested, e.g., drone-based applications with biodegradable carriers. In protected cultivation, the parasitism success of T. basalis will be evaluated under practical conditions, comparing two release strategies. A soybean variety trial will assess susceptibility to the pest, while broader crop and variety monitoring will provide insights into N. viridula host preferences. Similarly, experiments will be conducted with selected flowering plants to evaluate their potential as trap crops and to enable their future use in combination with additional strategies (e.g., mechanical removal).. Experiments on Styrian scarlet runner beans will further investigate yield losses caused by the stink bug. Complementary studies will test mechanical removal methods (e.g., suction devices) as alternative control options. A strong knowledge dissemination component ensures the targeted transfer of project findings to practitioners, advisors, and researchers. This project contributes to the development of sustainable plant protection strategies and supports the resilience of climate-adapted production systems — playing a vital role in safeguarding Austrian agriculture. |