Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB), an insect not previously seen on our continent, was apparently accidentally introduced into eastern Pennsylvania. Adults are slightly larger than 1/2 inch. The overall coloring may vary from brown to gray. Distinguishing characteristics are the white and dark banding on the antennae on the next-to-last antennal segment, red eyes and ocelli, and black and white bands along the outer edges of the thorax.

Adults are approximately 17 mm long and are shades of brown on both the upper and lower body surfaces. They are the typical shield shape of other stink bugs, almost as wide as they are long. To distinguish them from other stink bugs, look for lighter bands on the antennae and darker bands on the membranous, overlapping part at the rear of the front pair of wings. They have patches of coppery or bluish me tallic colored puntures on the head and pronotum. The name stink bug refers to the scent glands located on the dorsal surface of the abdomen and the underside of the thorax.

Stink Bug Life Cycle: Adults overwinter, or diapause, in leaf litter and fly to cotton fields in the spring. After feeding for 3 to 7 days, weevils mate and females lay eggs in cotton squares flower buds or bolls fruit that are 1/4 inch or more in diameter.

Larvae hatch in 2 ½ to 5 days, and larvae feed for 7 to 14 days and develop through several stages (instars) before pupating. Adults emerge in 4 to 6 days and chew their way out of the cotton square or boll in which they developed. Development from egg to adult can be completed in 16 to 18 days. Six or seven generations can be produced each year.

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. Among the most significant crop plants at risk in California are tomato, pepper, grapevines, apple, pear, and citrus. As with other stink bugs, both nymphs and adults use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on leaf and fruit tissue.

This feeding, specifically the injection of digestive enzymes to facilitate nutrient extraction, results in localized necrotic spots. Damage is particularly problematic for direct feeding on developing fruit, which can lead to severe distortion and in some cases fruit drop. Stink bugs can also act as contaminants, such as in grapevine clusters, which fouls juice once infested clusters are pressed and the bugs are crushed.

In addition to plant damage, brown marmorated stink bug is considered a significant nuisance pest because of its tendency to use homes as overwintering sites. Adults abandon orchards in the Fall, frequently moving into nearby artificial structures for shelter. These seasonal migrations can lead to dramatic infestations within homes. Although stink bugs are not a direct threat to humans, if disturbed the insects will release a strong, unpleasant odor, hence their common name, stink bug.

How to get rid of Stink Bugs : For damage on plants, the normal stink bug procedures should be effective depending upon which plant or fruit tree you may wish to protect. The NC Chemicals manual has recomendations. Outdoor chemical barriers sprayed on a house or structure containing a pyrethroid may be somewhat helpful, but the residual effectiveness of the chemical will be short. Creating a physical barrier to their entrance is the best preventative. Make sure window screens are in place and check around window air conditioning units.

Barrier exclusion is the best control. Seal and caulk and areas that may give access to the wall or house. If this is not completely successful and stink bugs are entering the living quarters, seal or caulk around baseboards, window sills, and any points at which you may detect them coming into the structure. Aerosol foggers are not generally suggested. They may kill some exposed bugs, but will not kill bugs in the wall, and the danger of fire hazard when using these products adds to the risk of their use.

If you ever have any bug related issues in New York City, feel free to call us either at Beyond Pest Control. Once again, and I can’t stress this enough we are on call twenty four hours a day seven days a week to kill those bugs, we aren’t kidding whether you call us at 9 am or midnight we will be available to take your call and either get rid of the bug infestation, or answer any questions you may have concerning the bug issue. I can honestly guarantee that there will be someone to answer that call. We make it our business to make you bug free!

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