LAUSR

Simple Summary Controlling alien insect pests in cropping systems without chemicals is challenging. Here, we evaluate the use of irradiation to determine the feasibility of the sterile insect technique (SIT) approach to controlling the bagrada bug, Bagrada hilaris. This work complements previous investigations carried out on two of the major pentatomid pests, e.g., the brown marmorated stinkbug and the bagrada bug. Due to the evidence of a gregarious phase during the autumn, we tested the possibility of making massive collections of wild-type bagrada bugs, irradiating and releasing them for small-scale SIT programs. This study documented how irradiation doses of gamma rays impact the physiological parameters, such as fertility, fecundity and longevity, of two-week-old bagrada adults and fifth-instar nymphs. Our results warrant further research to test the feasibility of SIT directly on bagrada bug populations in confined-field conditions alone or in combination with a classical biological control program.