Michigan brown marmorated stink bug report for July 10, 2014

A statewide brown marmorated stink bug monitoring effort in fruit and vegetable crops is underway, but so far none have been detected.

Pheromone-baited pyramid trap being used to monitor for brown marmorated stink bug.
Pheromone-baited pyramid trap being used to monitor for brown marmorated stink bug.

This is the first weekly report of the Michigan State University Extension brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) statewide monitoring effort for 2014. A network of traps has been deployed across more than 50 sites since June 30 and more are being added this week. Pyramid-style, pheromone-baited traps have been placed at farms that grow a variety of fruit and vegetable crops including apples, tart cherries, sweet cherries, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, peppers and sweet corn. Sites have been selected that are near riparian areas and/or are along major transportation corridors in the following counties: Monroe, Lenawee, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, Ingham, Lapeer, Saginaw and Bay on the east side of the state, and Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Oceana, Newaygo, Kent, Ionia, Ottawa, Allegan, Van Buren and Berrien on the west side of the state. More sites will be added as the season progresses.

Up to this point, BMSB have been detected in very low numbers in Michigan, generally by homeowners who have found them overwintering in their homes. Our network of traps is being used to provide early warning should population increases of BMSB occur in areas where susceptible crops are grown.

To learn more about how to monitor for the brown marmorated stink bug, distinguish it from other similar-looking stink bugs, what crops it favors, and management strategies should populations reach the threshold where management is necessary, visit MSU’s Brown Marmorated Stink Bug website.

The weekly BMSB statewide monitoring report has been funded through Project GREEEN and Michigan State University Extension. This output is generated through a network of MSU Extension field staff and campus specialists. We would like to acknowledge the following team members and thank them for their weekly scouting efforts and input into this report: Peter McGhee, Michael Haas, Bob Tritten, Mark Longstroth, Brad Baughman, Carlos Garcia, Amy Irish-Brown, Lina Rodriguez Salamanca, Ben Philips, Ben Werling, Hal Hudson, Karen Powers, and Nikki Rothwell.

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