From an early age, Sabrina Celis was drawn to insects. “I was one of those kids who spent recess digging up worms and chasing butterflies,” says Celis. “I never wanted to stop.”
This fascination with the natural world led her to study entomology at Cornell University, where her undergraduate thesis was on parasitoid wasps attacking our biological control agents. “That’s where my interest in parasitic wasps really took off,” she says.
After earning her degree, she applied to work with George Heimpel, a Distinguished McKnight Professor in the Department of Entomology in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, as well as a leading expert in biological control. Celis’ project on the brown marmorated stink bug began when the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) contacted Heimpel after discovering the samurai wasp in the state for the first time.
One species of stink bug, many problems
The brown marmorated stink bug is a challenging pest to manage due to its wide range of host plants, including orchard fruits, vegetables, and field crops. Unlike pests that can be controlled through crop rotation or sanitation, the stink bug prefers to overwinter in forest settings or human structures, making it difficult for growers to prevent infestations year to year. Effective management relies on monitoring populations and treating them with pesticides when necessary.
The pest could pose a threat to native species, as it is known to feed on many plants native to Minnesota. Increased pesticide use to control stink bug populations could also inadvertently harm native insects.
"It is really fascinating how this one insect can have so many impacts on other species, whether it's insects or plants or different groups of people,” Celis says. “So, it's kind of fun to be at the intersection of all of that and examining all those different relationships."
Partnering for progress
Celis’s research project is born of a collaboration between the Heimpel lab and the MDA. “The MDA has been really helpful for figuring out what orchards seem most likely to have [the samurai wasp], and then coordinating with apple growers to help us find good sites for our surveys,” she says.
Celis says the growers have been great to work with. “It's been useful getting their perspective on brown marmorated stink bugs showing up in their orchards, and hearing their concerns about when they should start worrying about managing this pest.” They’ve also shared pesticide data with Celis and her team, indicating when they spray and how much, which can help inform the research on pesticide use against the brown marmorated stink bug.
Celis is also learning from experts with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems. “We’ve been talking to tribal representatives to ask about the cultural importance of some of the native plants that brown marmorated stink bugs have been found on,” she says.
The complexities and challenges of biocontrol
Biological control remains a somewhat contested methodology, and a paper published by the Heimpel lab offers a framework for assessing the risks and benefits of introducing biological control agents based on their impact on native species.
Celis believes that this project will provide valuable insights into whether the samurai wasp will be beneficial or harmful to Minnesota’s ecosystem. Other states have already started redistributing the samurai wasp to accelerate its spread and improve control of the brown marmorated stink bug. Says Celis: "Once we have completed the research, groups like the MDA can make decisions on whether redistribution is a good idea and if that's something they should do."
Celis is also passionate about the future of biological control as a long-term solution for managing pests, recognizing the ongoing challenge posed by global trade and the movement of species. She believes that biological control will be a crucial tool in addressing these challenges.
Looking ahead, Celis aims to continue her work in this field, whether through research or in a teaching role. "I would love to continue being someone helping to control invasive species in a sustainable way, whether it's as a researcher or as a professor at the head of my own lab,” she says. “If I end up in a position that's more teaching-focused, rather than research-focused, I hope to aid future students interested in biological control and be able to inform them from my own experiences."
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