Invasive species are a major threat to ecosystems and cause enormous environmental and economic losses. Although it is difficult to estimate the full extent of the environmental damage by exotic species and control costs, it is estimated that invasive species cause > $100 billion in losses per year in the United States alone. The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys, is native to Asia, but has become a recent example of serious biological invasion, expecially in the US. The BMSB is a voracious eater that damages fruit, vegetable, and ornamental crops in North America. To manage this destructive invasive pest, a team of more than 50 researchers is studying the pest's biology, behavior and ecology to find management solutions for growers, seeking strategies that will protect food, environment and agricultural industry. In this study, I address how the BMSB team were able to make successful team effort to battle the invasive species with funding from the USDA's Specialty Crop Research Initiative.

• Doo-Hyung Lee(Department of Life Sciences, Gachon University)