Up To 100% Crop Losses

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (St al). Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) has recently been introduced from Asia into the northeastern U.S. This species is larger than the BSB, about 3/4 inch long. The brown background contains tiny flecks of light color, and the antennae and legs possess white bands, unlike BSB. There is also a pattern of alternating dark and white spots on the edges of the abdomen. The term ''marmorated'' refers to the marbled pattern of coloring with flecks of white interspersed with the background of brown.

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, a recently arrived invasive species from Asia, has exploded in population this year. Weather conditions have been perfect for multiple generations of this pest to appear in a single year.

The bug is now wreaking havoc on agricultural crops, as well as invading homes and businesses. On the agricultural front, the bug has hit orchards especially hard, causing 100% losses at one Adams County apple orchard visited last week by PDA staff. Numerous orchards have reported losses of this size. Vineyards, corn and soybean farms, and vegetable farms have all reported similar losses.

The stink bug has a voracious appetite, and eats nearly any plant it can find. New problems of stink bug damages at nurseries and in the home landscape have also been reported to PDA. If you experience losses to due to an infestation of the brown marmorated stink bug, please contact PLNA at 800-898-3411 and PDA at (717) 772-5229 and report it.

For more information on the stink bug, go to the Penn State Extension Web site.