Stink BugsInvasion

• What are they?• Where are they from?• What do they do?• Biology and Habits • CONTROL STINK BUGS!

Identifying the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

red eyes & ocelli

black and white banding

white banding

Image courtesy of David J. Shetlar, The Ohio State University

Look for these unique identifying features…

Ventral side: (abdominal)

• Adults - 5/8” (14 -17mm)• Light colored• May have black or

gray markings• Legs: brown with faint

white bands

Life Cycle:

Photos from Rutgers University

• April: mating• Females lay clusters

~28 eggs June -Sept. (up to 400 eggs in female’s lifetime).

• Nymphs undergo 5 instars, 1 week/instar. Various stages seen at one time in summer.

• 1-2 generation in PA, up to 5 in S. China!

• Fall temperatures chase adults indoors.

Eggs Instar I

Instar IV Instar V

More photos of life cycle:

• Newly hatched nymphs stay clustered near eggs

• Instar I (top right)

• Instar II – “Tick-like”(bottom photos)

Karen Bernhard, Penn State University

Both Right: Gary Bernon, USDA-APHIS Deepak Matadha, Rutgers University

Population EXPLOSION:• Entered the U.S. in

Allentown, PA area in early 1990’s from Japan or China

• Today infesting over half of Pennsylvania

Population EXPLOSION:

• 20012001 – 5 more counties in – 5 more counties in E. PA & 2 counties in NJE. PA & 2 counties in NJ

• 20032003 – MD, SC & MN – MD, SC & MN• 20042004 – WV, VA & OR – WV, VA & OR• 20052005 – DE & CA – DE & CA• 20072007 – OH – OH

Challenges WE ALL face:

• Changing Habits• No natural predators in U.S.• Very rapidly expanding range• Spreading faster than

most diseases• Changing food preferences

• Major economic impact

Plant Damage in U.S. so far…

Fruits• Asian Pear, Peach, Apple, Raspberry, Grape, Apricot• Damage appearing in orchards and backyard gardens

Deepak Matadha, Rutgers University

Veggies• String beans, onions

• The list is growing as their numbers grow…

Deepak Matadha, Rutgers University

Plant Damage in U.S. so far…

• Ornamentals• Buddleia• Honeysuckle• PaulowniaShade trees• Norway Maple• Catalpa• Crabapple

Plant Damage in U.S. so far…

Challenges:

• No Natural Predators• Get in through tiny cracks• Safest place to overwinter

is in YOUR HOME!• Reproduce TWO

generations per summer

• Infest in large numbers

Nothing funny about stink bugs:

Once STINK BUGS are in your home, you have three choices:

1.Live with them2.Kill them yourself

3.Put together a control plan

You can put up barriers •screens•caulking•screen house vents & eaves

You can reduce and eliminate attractants

•Tomato plants and fruit-bearing ornamentals•Trim foliage back from house •Remove veggie garden EARLY

Installing light traps can help keep stink bugs away from your family living area

Treating cracks and crevices can help on the inside and outside of your home

Carefully timed exterior

treatment

Late Summer!!!!

What you can expect:

• Reduction of stink bugs entering your home

• Reduction of stink bugs OVERWINTERING in your home (attic, chimney, walls, basement, insulation)

• Reduction of stink bugs annoying you in your living area

• Reduction of stink bugs leaving your home next spring

Reduction!

Questions?