Update on finding the brown marmorated stink bug
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EmailIt’s worth noting the role of MSU Extension in confirming this pest has entered Michigan.
Editor’s note: This article is from the archives of the MSU Crop Advisory Team Alerts. Check the label of any pesticide referenced to ensure your use is included.
Recently, Michigan received the bad news that another invasive pest has arrived in our state, the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB). This stink bug feeds on fruits, vegetables, corn, soybeans and much more. It is difficult to control with insecticides and is a smelly nuisance that clusters on and in homes when the weather turns cold.
Several agencies including the Michigan Department of Agriculture, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and MSU Extension to name a few, are in place to be vigilant about identifying and mitigating the effects of any new pests that enter our borders.
An early press release stated that two Michigan State University (MSU) students collected the first specimens that were verified by USDA entomologists. We posted that press release at this website (read it). Later more information filtered into me and I think it is worth noting the role of MSU Extension in this process. The specimen in Berrien County was identified as one of concern by MSUE Educator Duke Elsner and he submitted it to the USDA for further verification. A resident in Eaton County brought the second specimen into his local Extension office to MSUE Educator George Silva who sent it to MSU Diagnostic Services. There, entomologist Howard Russell identified it as brown marmorated stink bug and forwarded it to APHIS for confirmation.
MSU entomology specialists are gathering information and writing research proposals to address the issues this new pest will create. Here is some information that is currently available:
- A fact sheet from MSU field crop entomologist Chris DiFonzo and insect diagnostician Howard Russell.
- An article by MSU fruit entomologists Anne Nielsen, Matt Grieshop and Larry Gut.
- A fact sheet from the North Central Integrated Pest Management Center.
Here are additional resources and information collected by Chris DiFonzo and Howard Russell:
Have a suspect BMSB? Place it in a box (dry) with tissue paper or in white vinegar and mail or drop off to:
Howard Russell
Diagnostic Services
Michigan State University
101 Center for Integrated Plant Systems
East Lansing, MI 48824
MSU Entomology specialists by crop
These specialists will be working with their colleagues to develop specific crop recommendations as needed.
- Homeowner/Garden - Howard Russell
- Field Crops - Chris DiFonzo
- Landscape (commercial) - Dave Smitley
- Organic crops - Matt Grieshop
- Small fruits (ex., blueberry, grapes) - Rufus Isaacs
- Tree fruits (ex., apples) - Larry Gut
- Vegetable crops - Zsofia Szendrei
Links to BMSB info and bulletins
