Common name: Brown marmorated stink bug
Scientific name: Halyomorpha halys
Status in Hawaii: Not known to be present in Hawaii
An invasive brown stink bug that damages crops and fruit as they feed.
Impacts
Agriculture:
- Observed feeding successfully on numerous fruit, vegetable, and field crops including apples, apricots, Asian pears, cherries, corn (field and sweet), grapes, lima beans, nectarines and peaches, peppers, tomatoes and soybeans.
- Physical damage to fruit includes pitting and scarring, sometimes leading to a mealy texture. This injury makes the fruit unmarketable as a fresh product and in severe cases can even render the crop unusable for processed products. Also feeds on leaves, and a characteristic symptom of leaf injury is stippled areas approximately 1/8 inch in diameter around feeding sites. In addition to physical damage, wounds caused by feeding can provide an entryway for disease to attack the host fruit or plant.
- Susceptible crops in the USA where BMSB is present are worth >$40 billion.
Nuisance:
- In fall, congregate inside and outside of buildings; including bookcases; under beds and sofas; in cracks under or behind baseboards, window and door trim; and in attics. These pests will not cause structural damage or reproduce in homes.
- They do not bite people or pets and they are not known to transmit disease or cause physical harm. However, some people may be sensitive to allergens given off by the stink bugs.
Export & Shipping:
- When wintering in or near businesses that export products overseas, preventative measures can significantly reduce the unintentional spread of BMSB
Identification
- Mature adults are approximately 5/8 inch (17mm) long after progressing through 5 nymphal instars, which range from 1/10 to 1/2 inch (2.4 to 12mm) long.
- Eggs: individual eggs are about 1/25 inch (1mm) in diameter (generally larger than those of native stink bugs) and are laid in masses that contain 28 eggs on average.
- Can be distinguished easily from other stink bugs by the whitish bands on its antennae and (in some life stages) legs. Bands on antennae are apparent in both adult and immature forms.
Vectors/Commodities
Life stages and associated vectors: Most interceptions are of adults associated with inanimate objects (packaging, equipment, structural commodities) while wintering. Egg masses and nymphs are more closely associated with host plant materials.
Vehicles, equipment, shipping containers and packing materials:
- H. halys adults seek concealed, cool, tight, and dry locations to overwinter. Because of this overwintering behavior and the need for specific microhabitats, many suitable sites can be generated by human-made materials and used by this insect as overwintering sites such as inside cardboard boxes, other shipping containers, and luggage, between wooden boards, within layers of folded tarps, and within machinery motors and vehicles
Agricultural commodities from infested and native ranges:
- The BMSB has a variety of hosts, both herbaceous plants and trees. The highest risk are apple, Asian pear, beans (green, pole, snap), beebee tree, edamame, eggplant, European pear, grape, hazelnut, Japanese pagoda tree, nectarine, okra, peach, Peking tree lilac, pepper, redbud, sweet corn, Swiss chard, and tomato.
Distribution
- Native Range: China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan
- Introduced Range: North America & Europe
- Canada (4 provinces)
- Europe: France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland.
Best Management Practices
- This species is not found in Hawaii. Prevention and early detection efforts protect Hawaii’s nursery industry and environment.
- Consider sourcing options and pest distribution when purchasing plants.
- BOLO: Be on the lookout! Carefully inspect all materials coming from infested areas for eggs, nymphs, and adults.
- Report any suspect BMSB to 643pest.org or by phone 643-PEST (7378).
- Collect specimens and store in at least 70% ethanol or stored in ziptop bag in freezer to preserve them for identification by your local HDOA branch.
Other Nursery Pests
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This material was made possible, in part, by a Cooperative Agreement from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). It may not necessarily express APHIS’ views.
