Introduction
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys Stål, is a re
cently introduced pest to the western hemisphere and was first officially reported from Allentown, Pennsylvania in 2001 (Hoebeke and Carter 2003). This stink bug may become a major agricultural pest in North America, similar to the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.). Both species are polyphagous pests of various crops, but the exact potential impact of BMSB is currently unknown until it is detected in agricultural areas. However, in eastern Asia where the BMSB is native or indigenous, it is a pest on fruit trees and soybeans.
Synonymy
There is considerable confusion in the genus and a revision is needed; all references to Halyomorpha species in Japan, Korea, and east-China are Halyomorpha halys (Rider et al., in press).
Distribution
Although the first specimen was positively identified in 2001 (Hoebeke and Carter 2003), there were numerous reports of a nuisance stink bug in Allentown, Pennsylvania, at least several years prior to that date. Interviews with homeowners indicated that there were likely breeding populations in Allentown as early as 1996 (Bernon 2004). Unlike other stink bug species, the BMSB will enter homes and other buildings seeking warm, overwintering sites, and become a nuisance pest. This behavior resulted in many complaints to the Lehigh County Extension in Allentown (Jacobs and Bernhard 2003). By 2001, the stink bug has been found in five counties in eastern Pennsylvania and two counties in New Jersey (Hamilton and Shearer 2002).
BMSB is ideal for a "hitchhiking" type of dispersal, due to its overwintering behavior. In addition, it is a strong flier. Eventually, it will probably spread throughout the United States and southern Canada (Bernon 2004). As of 2005, in addition to the many confirmed reports from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, there are now isolated reports from several eastern states and Oregon (LaBonte 2005). Rutgers University will be tracking the expanding distribution while evaluating options for future integrated pest management (IPM)( Nielsen and Hamilton 2005).
Identification
Typical of other stink bugs, the BMSB has a shield-shaped body and emits a pungent odor when disturbed. With a mottled brown, 12 to 17 mm long (approximately 1/2 inch) body, it has characteristic alternating dark and light bands across the last two antennal segments that appear as a single white band in both nymphs and adults. This is the most distinguishing characteristic in the field, although it can easily be confused with native brown stink bugs from the genera Brochymena and Euschistus (Hobeke and Carter 2003). If stink bugs are found flying into homes in the fall, they are probably the BMSB and should be reported to the UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension Service or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Plant Industry. Specimens should be collected for positive identification. Although the brown mottled color is distinctive, there are several native species of brownish stink bugs that will look very similar to the BMSB.
Eggs:
The white or pale green barrel-shaped eggs are laid in clusters on the undersides of leaves. Egg masses have about 25 eggs that are only about 1 mm in diameter but become apparent when nymphs have recently emerged, as they will stay at the egg mass for several days. In Pennsylvania, eggs first appeared in late June, but females continued to lay egg masses until September. Although only one generation was observed, there are likely to be multiple generations as the distribution spreads south (Bernon 2004).
cently introduced pest to the western hemisphere and was first officially reported from Allentown, Pennsylvania in 2001 (Hoebeke and Carter 2003). This stink bug may become a major agricultural pest in North America, similar to the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.). Both species are polyphagous pests of various crops, but the exact potential impact of BMSB is currently unknown until it is detected in agricultural areas. However, in eastern Asia where the BMSB is native or indigenous, it is a pest on fruit trees and soybeans.Synonymy
There is considerable confusion in the genus and a revision is needed; all references to Halyomorpha species in Japan, Korea, and east-China are Halyomorpha halys (Rider et al., in press).
Distribution
Although the first specimen was positively identified in 2001 (Hoebeke and Carter 2003), there were numerous reports of a nuisance stink bug in Allentown, Pennsylvania, at least several years prior to that date. Interviews with homeowners indicated that there were likely breeding populations in Allentown as early as 1996 (Bernon 2004). Unlike other stink bug species, the BMSB will enter homes and other buildings seeking warm, overwintering sites, and become a nuisance pest. This behavior resulted in many complaints to the Lehigh County Extension in Allentown (Jacobs and Bernhard 2003). By 2001, the stink bug has been found in five counties in eastern Pennsylvania and two counties in New Jersey (Hamilton and Shearer 2002).
BMSB is ideal for a "hitchhiking" type of dispersal, due to its overwintering behavior. In addition, it is a strong flier. Eventually, it will probably spread throughout the United States and southern Canada (Bernon 2004). As of 2005, in addition to the many confirmed reports from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, there are now isolated reports from several eastern states and Oregon (LaBonte 2005). Rutgers University will be tracking the expanding distribution while evaluating options for future integrated pest management (IPM)( Nielsen and Hamilton 2005).
Identification
Typical of other stink bugs, the BMSB has a shield-shaped body and emits a pungent odor when disturbed. With a mottled brown, 12 to 17 mm long (approximately 1/2 inch) body, it has characteristic alternating dark and light bands across the last two antennal segments that appear as a single white band in both nymphs and adults. This is the most distinguishing characteristic in the field, although it can easily be confused with native brown stink bugs from the genera Brochymena and Euschistus (Hobeke and Carter 2003). If stink bugs are found flying into homes in the fall, they are probably the BMSB and should be reported to the UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension Service or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Division of Plant Industry. Specimens should be collected for positive identification. Although the brown mottled color is distinctive, there are several native species of brownish stink bugs that will look very similar to the BMSB.
Eggs:
The white or pale green barrel-shaped eggs are laid in clusters on the undersides of leaves. Egg masses have about 25 eggs that are only about 1 mm in diameter but become apparent when nymphs have recently emerged, as they will stay at the egg mass for several days. In Pennsylvania, eggs first appeared in late June, but females continued to lay egg masses until September. Although only one generation was observed, there are likely to be multiple generations as the distribution spreads south (Bernon 2004).
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