The Brown Marmorated Stinkbug (BMSB) arrived from Asia in Pennsylvania about 15 years ago. Since then it has spread to 33 states and has been found in shipments of imported goods destined to Canada. It has no known natural enemies in North America.
BMSB has over 100 host plants in North America - tree fruits, berries, vegetables, field crops (including corn,soys and edible beans), and trees and shrubs. It overwinters in shelters such as houses and barns. In Pennsylvania, where the populations are high there are reports of home attics with tens of thousands of BMSB found. Although they will not bite or sting humans, they will omit a foul odour when disturbed.
The BMSB can be distinguished from other stink bugs by its size (up to 17mm), smooth thorax and two white bands on its antenna.
Photo Credit: Perdue
Collaboration between numerous Canadian and American governmental agencies is occurring as currently there is no know chemical or biological control of the BMSB. Also, there are numerous surveys and trapping projects occurring to monitor for any invasion of the BMSB into Ontario. It is estimated that the BMSB caused $37 million damage to the mid Atlantic states apple crop last year. It is however producing a spin off economy for some resourceful inventors. Homeowners in some states have been so overrun with the BMSB in their homes that some have taken to inventing and marketing traps to control or remove the BMSB.
With careful monitoring and collaboration, hopefully we can stay on top of the BMSB and find some measures of control before it becomes an epidemic. You can help too. If you think you have found a BMSB, place it in an airtight container and freeze to kill it. You can take it to any OMAFRA or CFIA office or the University of Guelph to have it identified and logged.
Post includes info found at:
http://www.marylandstinkbugs.com/home/
http://www.omaf.gov.on.ca/english/crops/hort/news/hortmatt/2011/16hrt11a2.htm
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