UME Entomologist, Mike Raupp, offers common sense options for stink bug control In 2010 and 2011, brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB) were seen in extremely high numbers in the Mid-Atlantic region. According to Dr. Raupp, an entomologist at the University of Maryland, the Mid-Atlantic region is the epicenter of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug endemic; no farmers have been left unaffected by this blight in some way (Can Wasps Squash the Stink Bug … Find out why the Brown Marmorated stink bug has caused such hysteria among farmers, gardeners, and homeowners. The brown marmorated stink bug is well-established in the Willamette Valley, where virtually all domestic hazelnut production occurs. Brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive species. Why does the brown marmorated stink bug collect in large clusters? In orchards where it establishes, H. halys quickly becomes the pr… It leaves small necrotic patches on any plant matte it eats, rendering produce inedible. The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an exotic insect new to North America. Damage: Brown marmorated stink bug is notable for having a wide host range, purportedly upwards of 60 plant species, including numerous vegetable crops, fruit trees, and ornamental plant species. In Asia, H. halys is an occasional outbreak pest of tree fruit (Lee et al. 14) and pears in the United States first appeared in Allentown, PA, and Pittstown, NJ, in 2006 (Nielsen and Hamilton 2009a). In corn and soybean, this means that BMSB feeds upon corn ears and soybean pods. Brown marmorated stink bug tends to congregate on tall plants and trees rather than plants lower to the ground. BMSB was first confirmed in the United States in 2001 although an unconfirmed sighting was reported in Pennsylvania in 1996. Large numbers of adult BMSB were first identified in fall 2001 in Allentown, PA; however, undetermined sightings likely date as far back as 1996. The injury from their piercing-sucking mouthparts can cause significant crop damage and severe economic losses. See OSU EM 9102: "How to recognize brown marmorated stink bug damage in commercial hazelnuts as a guide to hazelnut damage". References . Large populations exist in several Mid-Atlantic States, whe… Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys) The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is a true bug in the order Hemiptera which was introduced from Asia. Brown marmorated stink bugs will not cause structural damage or reproduce in homes. The brown marmorated stink bug is known to feed on the corn ears. 2008). ... Damage caused by stink bugs. A native of Asia, BMSB first appeared in the United States in the middle 1990’s near Allentown, PA and are now found … Stink bugs can damage ornamental plants, fruit trees, and gardens, but they are more of a nuisance than a threat to people. The legs are also banded, but the bands are not as distinct as those on the antennae. Individual ker-nels of sweet corn are destroyed. They do not bite people or pets. You can breathe a sigh of relief, because stink bugs do not bite people, they won’t harm your pets, and they don’t spread diseases. The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug has also become a nuisance to homeowners due to its use of structures as overwintering sites. There are some markings that will separate this stink bug from others (see photo below). Stink Bug Damage Adult bugs are about the size of a dime (see Box A), but they are way more than ten cents worth of trouble. To survive the winter, this insect must find shelter in houses, garages or barns. The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys, is an invasive stink bug and has emerged as a major pest of tree fruits and vegetables, causing millions of dollars’ worth of crop damage and control costs each year. They are a mottled brownish-grey color and have smooth shoulder margins without any toothed edges. Wherever BMSB takes up residence, it can cause severe crop and garden losses and become a nuisance in and around homes and other buildings. This nasty bug (Halyomorpha halys) is a hitchhiker, stowing away in all manner of imported goods and personal effects including suitcases.While it doesn’t pose a risk to human health, brown marmorated stink bug can breed up huge populations that become both a household nuisance as well as a major problem for our crop growers. With the arrival of autumn comes the annual invasion of brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB) as they seek winter refuge inside homes and businesses. Stink Bugs 101 Everything you need to know about this invasive species Brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSBs) are an invasive species from Asia that first arrived in Pennsylvania in 1996 and can now be found in much of the continental United States. Like many stink bugs, BMSB is a flat insect with a shield-shaped body. Brown marmorated stink bugs tend to be problematic because they prefer to feed upon reproductive tissues, those tissues that will be harvested. They do not cause structural damage or spread disease, but they do cause a few issues. Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) has a wide range of host plants. On corn, the brown stink bug is the primary pest among stink bugs; it causes damage by feeding during early vegetative stages. BMSB have the characteristic “shield” shape like all stink bugs. Figure 5: Brown marmorated stink bug damage on a (a) tomato (Virginia Cooperative Extension 2011), (b) capsicum (DAWR 2015) and (c) nectarine (Virginia Cooperative Extension 2011). They were responsible for causing major economic damage to fruit and vegetable crops at a number of orchards and farms. It has been found in most states and several Canadian provinces, though many of these are detections rather than confirmed as established in the field. The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug feeds on a wide variety of shade and fruit trees, vegetables and legumes. Stink bug damage has plagued the agriculture industry since the pest's introduction in the 90s. Reported hosts include apple ( Malus domestica ), peach ( Prunus persica ), pear ( Prunus pyrifolia ), citrus, figs ( Ficus ), mulberries ( Morus) , soybean (Glycine max), butterfly bush ( Buddlei a), Paulownia sp. The BMSB feeds on hazelnuts, and this publication helps growers and scouts learn to recognize BMSB damage to hazelnuts. Adult stink bugs often seek shelt… The BMSB was first discovered in eastern Pennsylvania in 1998 and has quickly spread to almost all of the continental United States and several Canadian Provinces. It was accidently introduced to North America in the mid 1990s, and was first identified in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 2001. As a polyphagous pest, the brown marmorated stink bug has the potential to cause damage to several crops, including tree fruit, nuts, vegetables and row crops. Here’s a new critter to add to that nuisance list: the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys. After emerging in spring, adults are found on almost any plant e… In 2010 the brown marmorated stink bug outbreak was the cause of over 37 million USD in losses to tree fruit producers in the mid-Atlantic region (Leskey et al. The antennae are marked by light and dark alternating bands. By: Dr. Michael J Raupp - College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland. Adult BMSB are 14-17mm (5/8 inch) long, which makes them one of the larger stink bugs in Kentucky. Adult brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), note white bands on antennae and legs (Doug Pfeiffer) Identification The BMSB is a grayish brown shield-backed bug about 3/4 inch long with white bands on the antennae and legs, alternating black and white spots on the abdomen, and no spines on the front of the thorax. It was first detected in the United States in Pennsylvania in the late 1990s. The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is a significant nuisance for homeowners and can be devastating for farmers. BMSB has two distinct white bands on its otherwise dark antennae. Over 300 plant species in agricultural, horticultural, and natural settings are susceptible to attack. Injection of saliva can cause enzymatic damage, brown spots, surface depression, and mealy consistency in apples. In cooler climates, the brown marmorated stink bug will have only one generation annually. UCCE Integrated Pest Management advisor Jhalendra Rijal, who serves Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Merced counties, determined the cause was an infestation of brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), an invasive pest from Asia.For years, BMSB had only been found in urban areas of California – most notably a 2013 infestation in midtown Sacramento. The inse… Although they are not known to transmit disease or cause physical harm, the insect produces a pungent, malodorous chemical and when handling the bug, the odor is transferred readily. A brown marmorated stink bug is native to East Asia and was first noticed in the United States in the late 1990s, possibly having arrived in a shipping crate. The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is particularly devastating when it comes to the agricultural output of farms in Maryland. 2013a). In their native range, Brown marmorated stink bugs are known to cause severe damage to horticultural and soybean crops (Wermelinger et al. Biology and life history The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys; BMSB) is an invasive pest native to eastern Asia. Glands between the legs of stink bugs emit an odor that gets much stronger when the pests are smashed. Since its accidental introduction to the US from Asia in 1996, Rutgers NJAES Pest Management Teams have been tracking, studying, and formulating management plans to combat this pest. Besides being an annoyance when it seeks protected, overwintering sites on warm fall days, the BMSB can be a serious pest to over 100 host plants in agricultural settings and natural communities. It has been observed on hundreds of tree species in the Mid-Atlantic States but it is unclear what species will be preferred in Minnesota. The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys(Stål), is an invasive alien insect native to Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China. The edges of the abdomen have very distinct dark and light bands, but this feature can be seen on other species of stink bug as well. The underside of the BMSB is white with … However, in warmer climates, four to six generations are possible. On soybean, most of the injury occurs during the second half of the growing season when significant feeding takes place on pods and developing seed. Bean Depending on when the insect feeds on the nuts, they can cause blanks, shrivel or corking damage on the kernels. Trust Ehrlich with your stink bug concerns. Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halymorpha halys, is an exotic, invasive insect native to Asia, including China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. It will attack a large variety of plants-more than 170 species-including many fruits and vegetables. In addition to causing damage to plants and fruit, brown marmorated stink bugs are a major nuisance to people. Stink bugs earned their name from the defensive odor they release when disturbed or crushed. The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an invasive insect to the U.S. with a wide range of host crops, including many fruit crops like apples and grapes. Among the most significant crop plants at risk in California are tomato, pepper, grapevines, apple, pear, and citrus. The edge of the abdomen beyond the wings also has this alternating dark and light banding. The adult is about 1/2 inch long. The invasive brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys, has been found in numerous locations in California. H. halys sucks plant juices through a feeding stylet. Damage to apples (Fig. During outbreak years the brown marmorated stink bug has caused significant losses to tree fruit producers, damaging apples, peaches and pears. 201… Since then, BMSB has spread across the nation, increasing to large, damaging numbers throughout the mid-Atlantic region and beyond. This invasive species can attack many crops. 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