Brown marmorated stink bug

Halyomorpha halys (Stål)

Pentatomidae: Hemiptera

Distribution: Current distribution is from northeastern PA, NJ and MD south to SC and west to WV, but expected to increase as this is an introduced pest.

Photos

Along with catfacing, damage may appear as depressed, dimpled, corky or water-soaked areas on the fruit skin. Peter Shearer, Rutgers Univ.
D

Brown marmorated stink bug adults are 3/4-inch long and shield-shaped, with mottled brown coloration on the upper and lower surface. They can be distinguished by lighter bands on antennae and they have darker bands on the membrane part at the rear of the front pair of wings. On the head, there are patches of copper or bluish-metallic depressions. Eggs are light green and are laid in groups of 20 to 30 on the underside of leaves or on clusters. There are five nymphal stages. This pest can contaminate harvested clusters and its secretions can lead to tainted juice.

Crops Affected: apples, cherries, grapes, peaches, pears, plums

Damage

These species can sometimes cause fruit damage in all tree fruits under conditions that are not yet fully understood. Adult feeding during bloom and shuck split can cause the fruit to abort, and feeding later in the summer can cause a deep catfacing injury (B) such as that caused by tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris), or depressed, dimpled, corky or water-soaked areas on the skin (C, D). All tree fruits are attacked, especially peaches and apples. Other species of stink bugs are predators.

Management

Elimination of alternate host broadleaf weeds, especially legumes, in the orchard will contribute to management efforts. If control is needed, insecticides should be timed to kill immigrating adults as they appear in the orchards to prevent feeding damage and subsequent mating and egglaying.

Similar Species

The brown stink bug [Euschistus servus (Say)] is brown to grayish-brown and slightly speckled. The dusky stink bug (Euschistus tristigmus) is dark brown, with sharp shoulder projections. The green stink bug [Acrosternum hilare (Say)] is uniformly grass-green.