Brown marmorated stink bug

Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) is an exotic plant pest. This insect pest is a serious threat to Australia’s horticultural industries.

Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is a typical stink bug with a shield shaped body. Stink bugs emit a pungent odour when disturbed.

There are a number of Australian native stink bugs which are similar to BMSB. However, the distinct features of adult BMSB are the white bands on the antennae, sides of the abdomen and on the legs (Figure 1).

Notifiable status

Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) is a notifiable plant pest in NSW.

All notifiable plant pests and diseases must be reported within 1 working day.  You can report notifiable plant pests and diseases by one of the following methods:

• Call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881
• Email biosecurity@dpi.nsw.gov.au with a clear photo and your contact details
• Complete an online form

A full list of notifiable plant pests and diseases can be found in Schedule 2 of the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015.

Current situation

Brown marmorated stink bug was found in warehouses in western Sydney over the 2017-18 summer season, in consignments originating in Italy. Fumigation and extensive surveillance activities took place and importation rules for cargo arriving from Italy were strengthened.

The successful eradication program saw NSW was declared BMSB free in August 2018. Ongoing vigilance is required with BMSB known to stow away on cargo from the northern hemisphere between September and April each year. In January 2019, Victoria was undertaking an eradication program following two seperate detections of brown marmorated stink bug.

Damage

Brown marmorated stink bug causes damage to fruit and vegetables resulting in produce that is unfit for sale.

Adults generally feed on fruit while nymphs feed on leaves, stems and fruit.

Stink bugs pierce the outer surface of fruit injecting saliva and sucking out juices. This causes dimpling of the fruit’s surface and rotting and corking inside the fruit.

Description

Adult BMSB are approximately 12 to 17 mm long and 7 to 10 mm wide.  They are variable in colour but generally have a mottled brown coloured body with alternating light and dark bands on the antennae, legs and the side margins of the abdomen.

Young nymph stages are yellowish brown and mottled with black and red (Figure 2).

Older nymph stages are darker with the banding pattern on the legs and antennae beginning to appear.

Eggs are light green, barrel shaped and found in groups of 20 to 30 (Figure 2).

Lifecycle

Five nymphal instars develop before the brown marmorated stink bug matures to an adult. Overwintering adults emerge from hibernation in early spring.

Mating and egg laying occurs on the underside of plant leaves. Eggs hatch three to six days later and newly emerged nymphs gather around the egg mass.

Host range

Brown marmorated stink bug feeds on a wide range of fruiting plants including ornamentals and vegetables.

Preferred plants include apples, peaches, raspberries, sweet corn, green beans, capsicums and tomatoes.

Host plants belong to 49 different plant families with Rosaceae the most common family.

Spread

Adult brown marmorated stink bugs are strong fliers and have been recorded flying up to two kilometres in a single flight.

Brown marmorated stink bug is a highly mobile pest which can move from host to host during spring and summer. The pattern of movement is from plants with early ripening fruit to plants with later ripening fruit.

In autumn adult BMSB seek out a safe hibernation spot to overwinter. Preferred hibernation sites are cracks and crevices in houses, buildings and structures such as containers or packing crates.

Distribution

Brown marmorated stink bug is native to Asia and is found in China, Japan, Taiwan and Korea.

It was introduced to the USA where it rapidly spread and has been detected in more than 40 states. It is also now present throughout Europe.

Brown marmorated stink bug is not present in Australia, but has been intercepted at the border by quarantine service agencies. There have also been post-border detections however BMSB is not considered established in Australia.

Actions to minimise risks

Put in place biosecurity best practice actions to prevent entry, establishment and spread of pests and diseases:

• practice “Come clean, Go clean”
• ensure all staff and visitors are instructed in and adhere to your business management hygiene requirements
• use new or thoroughly cleaned packing crates and bins
• monitor your plants and fruit regularly