Brown marmorated stink bug - Halyomorpha halys

 

[Device used: Nikon D60; Location: Pakenham, Victoria, Australia; OCT/2020]

Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) [Scientific name: Halyomorpha halys] is an exotic pest that could cause major damage to agricultural crops, nursery stock and ornamental plants. [1]

[Device used: Nikon D60; Location: Pakenham, Victoria, Australia; OCT/2020]

It is a mottle brown coloured shield-shaped stink bug (adults 12-17mm long) which looks quite similar to many Australian native stink bugs. The BMSB however has distinctive black and white banding around the outer edge of the abdomen, and white bands on the last two antennal segments.

Juveniles and adults feed on, and can severely damage vegetable crops and fruit, including grapes. Damage to grapes further predisposes them to secondary infection, thus impacting quality and yield. Additionally, if BMSB’s are present in grape bunches when processed through the winery, compounds may be released from the stink bugs that can impact wine quality. [2]

[Device used: Nikon D60; Location: Pakenham, Victoria, Australia; OCT/2020]

Originally from eastern Asia, but recently introduced to North America and Europe where it is having a significant impact on agriculture and as a nuisance pest.

Saliva causes significant damage to plant tissues.

Eggs are cream to yellow-orange and approximately 1.6 mm long and laid in clusters on the underside of leaves.

Five nymph stages that range from less than 3 mm to 12 mm long. The nymphs are orange and black when they first hatch but quickly develop a similar colouration to the adults.

The adults and larvae can be confused with a number of other brown coloured stinkbugs that are present in Australia.

Hitchhikes in container shipments of a range of commodities, including plant material. Adults are capable of flight allowing localised spread of the pest.

High priority pest of: apples and pears, berries, cherries, cotton, dried grapes, hazelnuts, pecans, tables grapes, truffles, walnuts, vegetables [3]

[Device used: Nikon D60; Location: Pakenham, Victoria, Australia; OCT/2020]

This nasty bug (Halyomorpha halys) is a hitchhiker, stowing away in all manner of imported goods and personal effects including suitcases. While it doesn’t pose a risk to human health, brown marmorated stink bug can breed up huge populations that become both a household nuisance as well as a major problem for our crop growers. It feeds on more than 300 hosts including fruit trees and woody ornamentals. [4]

[Device used: Nikon D60; Location: Pakenham, Victoria, Australia; OCT/2020]