First report of Halyomorpha halys in Austria
In August 2015, a specimen resembling Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae – formerly EPPO Alert List) was photographed in Vienna and posted on a forum (Insektenfotos). Later in August 2015, 2 other specimens were collected in Vienna and the identity of the pest could be confirmed. Another specimen was photographed on the wall of the premises of the ‘inatura Erlebnis Naturschau’ museum in the city of Dornbirn (Vorarlberg). In November 2015, 3 specimens were collected on the wall of a building in Vienna. Regarding the origin of the specimens, it seems likely that the western population has reached Vorarlberg by natural spread from nearby Swiss populations. The eastern population might have arrived in Vienna by natural spread from Hungary or via an independent introduction from European, North American, or Asian populations. It is planned to conduct genetic studies to better understand the invasion history of H. halys in Austria.
The situation of Halyomorpha halys in Austria can be described as follows: Present, first found in 2015 in Vienna and Dornbirn (Vorarlberg).
Sources
Rabitsch W, Griebe GJ (2015) From the west and from the east? First records of Halyomorpha halys (Stål, 1855) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in Vorarlberg and Vienna, Austria. Beiträge zur Entomofaunistik 16, 115-139.