Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Control

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug ControlAbstractBrown marmorated stench bug (Order Hemiptera Family Pentatomidae) (BMSB) wasaccidentally introduced into the eastern U.S. from Asia in the fresh 1990s. In 2001 it was officially identified in Pennsylvania, and has since spread along the eastern seaboard andwestward into the Great Lakes region. In 2002 it was found in Portland, Oregon, and has since spread to localised areas in Washington and California. It has not yet been found in Utah, but it is likely only a matter of time before it will exceed in nearly states due to its rapid adaptation to a wide range of climates. Since 2004, BMSB has gained notoriety as a major nuisance due to macro aggregations of the bugs invading buildings in the fall to overwinter, attracted to the protective warmth.Brown Marmorated Stink BugBiological control and insecticides are two primary control tactics to a lower place evaluation. Entomologists have explored its native range for natural enemies, and a fe ware under further study for potential release in the U.S. Many of the synthetic substance pyrethroid-type insecticides are efficacious in rapid knockdown of adults and nymphs however, this group of insecticides has a major negative side-effect of high toxicity to many beneficial insects,mites, and spiders. Research to buzz off effective traps and lures is underway, with the release of a killing station pending (Alpha Scents Inc.)Life HistoryIn the temperate regions of the U.S. there appears to be one to two generations per season. In the warmer areas of its native range there can be up to six generations per year. Therefore, it is likely that two or more generations will occur in warmer areas of the U.S. as its rangeexpands. Adults have an extended egg-laying period. Adults and nymphs have been observed in the field up through September.Host PlantsBMSB has been found feeding on over 60 plant species. Crop plants which host BMSB include tree fruits and nuts such as peach, apricot, cherry, apple, pear, Asian pear,filbert, and cane and vine fruits including berries and grape. The most preferred vegetable and field crops include pepper, tomato, green bean, soybean, field and sweet com. BMSB also feeds on ornamental plants such as butterfly bush, some rose species, honeysuckle and catalpa. steeringResearch is underway to develop effective traps and lures for monitoring and an attract-and-kill management approach. A BMSB pheromone lure was recentlyreleased by Alpha Scents Inc., and they are close to releasing a killing station design. To date, research has shown that tall, pyramid shaped, ground-level traps colored dark brown or black rather than yellow are more attractive to BMSB. In addition, researchers found that BMSB adults frequently escape from traps, so that placing a quick knockdown insecticide device in the trap such as vaportape or a 114 piece of cattle ear tag improved trap capture.ExclusionBMSB can squeeze into narrow cracks and crevices, so seal ent ry points into homes and other buildings with caulking. browse and repair screens on windows, doors and vents and remove or seal around window air conditioner units. Mechanically remove adults congregating on exterior surfaces or inside buildings with a vacuum or broom.InsecticidesEvaluation of insecticide effectiveness has shown that BMSB can be more difficult to kill than other stink bug species. Insecticides were most effective when BMSBwere directly contacted with the spray as compared to walking on dried residues on plant foliage(Leskey 2010). While a number of insecticides initially incapacitate BMSB, the effect was temporary and a high percentage of the population recovered and returned to feeding.ReferencesPetrizzo, E. (2011) Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Utah State University Cooperative ExtensionBrownmarmorated stinkbugAdult femaleScientific classificationKingdom Animalia Phylum Arthropoda Class Insecta Order HemipteraFamily Pentatomidae Genus Haly_omorl2._ha Species H.hal ys