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ENTOMOLOGYBrown Marmorated Stink Bug in North Carolina |
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Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in NC Homepage
Description
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an invasive pest of Asian origin that was first detected in the US in Allentown, PA, in 1998. In subsequent years it spread from this focal point, establishing itself as a pest of minor significance on various crops, primarily tree fruits in the Mid-Atlantic States. In 2010, BMSB populations developed to extremely high densities in the mid-Atlantic region of northern VA, eastern WV, MD, DE, and south central PA, causing unprecedented damage to a diversity of crops, including apples, peaches, caneberries, tomato, pepper, sweet corn and soybeans.
Adults are brown, shield-shaped insects approximately 17mm (11/16 inch) long, with alternating light and dark bands on the antennae and lower edge of the 'shield.' Eggs are barrel-shaped, approximately 1.5mm tall, and are typically white to light green. Newly-hatched nymphs are orange and black, becoming dark brown as they progress through 5 instars (growing from 2.5 to 12mm long) before becoming winged adults.
BMSB was first observed in western North Carolina in 2010, with sporadic reports of late-season damage to peaches and apples. There were also several reports of BMSB adults congregating near homes in western NC in October 2010. The congregation of adults on buildings in the late fall is characteristic of BMSB, many of which overwinter in dwellings. Based on the fact that a BMSB adult was detected in Knoxville, TN, in October 2008, it is likely that the first individuals arrived in NC before 2010. Several species of native stink bugs, most commonly the brown and green stink bug, can also affect fruits and vegetables in NC, but they have not demonstrated the potential to cause the level of damage as that of the BMSB.
 Adult |
 Nymph (late) |
 Nymphs (early) |
 Eggs |
Life History
BMSB overwinters in the adult stage. While adults are known to aggregate near and enter homes and other dwellings in the fall, the importance of various outdoor habitats as overwintering sites is unknown, although woodlands are known overwintering sites. Adults begin to emerge in the spring and migrate from overwintering sites to nearby host plants, where they mate, and then lay eggs in clusters on the underside of leaves. Adult emergence and egg laying in western NC is expected to occur during April and May. Following the hatch of nymphs from eggs, young nymphs remain near egg masses from which they hatched, and not until they molt to the second instar will they disperse to feed on plant tissue. Nymphs complete five molts, increasing in size with each successive molt, before adults with fully developed wings appear. Based on knowledge of the developmental rate of BMSB, it is estimated that first generation adults will emerge during late June to July, with a second generation of nymphs appearing in July and August, and the second generation of adults emerging during August and September.
BMSB has a wide host range that includes many fruits (apple, peaches, grape, caneberries), vegetables (tomato, pepper, bean, cucurbits, sweet corn), field crops (corn, soybeans, and probably cotton), and numerous ornamental plants including, but not limited to, butterfly bush, empress tree, maple, dogwood, crabapple, hawthorn, elm, sycamore and serviceberry.
Damage and Control
BMSB have sucking mouthparts, with an elongated “beak” protruding from the front of the head and extending underneath the abdomen. Contained within this sheath are the stylets that enter plant tissue when feeding. The stylets are used to both remove plant sap as well as inject salivary secretions that help to break down plant tissue. Although damage symptoms vary depending on the crop, in general feeding results in an external distortion and discoloration of fruit, which can extend several cm into the fruit. Both adults and nymphs can inflict damage.
In view of the absence of effective BMSB natural enemies and their high capacity to cause damage, insecticides are likely to be the primary tool for managing this insect on high value fruit and vegetable crops. See the BSMB page for the most current information.
Insect and Mite Management Overview
Insect and Mite Index
Southeastern Apple Production Mountain Horticultural Crops Research & Extension Center 455 Research Drive Mills River, NC 28759 Phone: 828.684.3562 ~ Fax: 828.684.8715 Email: jim_walgenbach@ncsu.edu |
Web Crafters: Anne S. Napier and
Steve Schoof |
Updated March 15, 2011