Authors: Bill Hutchison, Theresa Cira and Bob Koch. The main focus of the Midwest Stinkbug Assistant app is to facilitate early detection and reporting of the invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB; Halyomorpha halys). But, it also helps users identify native stink bug species common to the Midwest region.
This free app, Midwest Stink Bug Assistant, will allow farmers, crop consultants, and the general public to become comfortable distinguishing stink bugs from other bugs and identifying common stink bugs. The app was developed in collaboration with Purdue University, Extension, and first released in April 2018.
The app shows high-resolution, side-by-side comparisons of stink bug species to assist in identification. A key feature of this app allows users to easily report invasive stink bugs such as BMSB which is responsible for millions of dollars in crop losses in the Eastern and Pacific NW regions, and has a wide host range including: sweet corn, apples, tomatoes, peppers, grapes and field crops such as corn and soybean.
The highest populations to date have been limited to the 7-country metro area, with some bugs collected as far north as Duluth and Alexandria. In the Midwest region, MI and OH continue to harbor the highest BMSB populations, likely due to their more mild winter temperatures, as the species continues to spread westward from the Atlantic coast states. BMSB has also accelerated its spread throughout the U.S. as a “hitchhiker” on various vehicles including motor homes. BMSB has now been confirmed in at least 41 states.
In 2018, we were pleased to see a significant increase in reports of BMSB from the citizens throughout MN and nearby states, as well as farmers. We therefore see the new app as an additional effective tool for citizens to alert us to new BMSB detections.
When using the app, if a suspected BMSB specimen is found, a photo can easily be uploaded by the user and a report generated through the app’s "Report Invasive" feature. Once your bug has been reported, a stink bug expert will be contacted to verify the identification; if approved, the new specimen record will be sent to the national database (EDDMapS) for monitoring the spread of this pest.
Other useful features of this app (Fig. 2) include:
More information regarding BMSB and how to monitor and manage the pest can be found on the FruitEdge web site. Support for the app was provided by the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plant & Pest Center (MITPPC) with funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust fund, as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), and the MN Extension IPM Program. Artwork, photographs, and text were developed by Drs. Theresa Cira, and Bill Hutchison, both with the UMN Extension IPM Program (E-IPM funding via USDA-NIFA), and Department of Entomology. IT support was provided by Eileen Luke, Purdue University Extension.
For more information: Contact Extension Entomologist, Bill Hutchison (hutch002@umn.edu)
This free app, Midwest Stink Bug Assistant, will allow farmers, crop consultants, and the general public to become comfortable distinguishing stink bugs from other bugs and identifying common stink bugs. The app was developed in collaboration with Purdue University, Extension, and first released in April 2018.
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Figure 1. Look for the Midwest
Stink Bug Assistant screenshot to download the app.
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The app shows high-resolution, side-by-side comparisons of stink bug species to assist in identification. A key feature of this app allows users to easily report invasive stink bugs such as BMSB which is responsible for millions of dollars in crop losses in the Eastern and Pacific NW regions, and has a wide host range including: sweet corn, apples, tomatoes, peppers, grapes and field crops such as corn and soybean.
BMSB in Minnesota
BMSB was first detected in in Minnesota in 2010. During the past two years, the pest has been found in apple orchards and soybean fields. In 2018, and in collaboration with the Invasive Species program, Minn. Dept. of Agriculture, we observed a substantial increase in total BMSB adults trapped or recorded in the Minnesota - increasing from 307 in 2017, to >1,600 in 2018. BMSB has now spread to 19 MN counties.The highest populations to date have been limited to the 7-country metro area, with some bugs collected as far north as Duluth and Alexandria. In the Midwest region, MI and OH continue to harbor the highest BMSB populations, likely due to their more mild winter temperatures, as the species continues to spread westward from the Atlantic coast states. BMSB has also accelerated its spread throughout the U.S. as a “hitchhiker” on various vehicles including motor homes. BMSB has now been confirmed in at least 41 states.
In 2018, we were pleased to see a significant increase in reports of BMSB from the citizens throughout MN and nearby states, as well as farmers. We therefore see the new app as an additional effective tool for citizens to alert us to new BMSB detections.
When using the app, if a suspected BMSB specimen is found, a photo can easily be uploaded by the user and a report generated through the app’s "Report Invasive" feature. Once your bug has been reported, a stink bug expert will be contacted to verify the identification; if approved, the new specimen record will be sent to the national database (EDDMapS) for monitoring the spread of this pest.
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| Figure 2. Sample pages for the Midwest Stink Bug Assistant. |
- A stink bug "look alike" page that helps users distinguish stink bugs from non-stink bugs
- New artwork designed to assist users in finding the distinguishing features of stink bugs
- High-quality, high resolution images of common stink bug species in the Midwest
- The option to review and report another new invasive, recently found in Minnesota, the Bagrada Bug!
- Additional resources for specific crop impacts and BMSB management are included
More information regarding BMSB and how to monitor and manage the pest can be found on the FruitEdge web site. Support for the app was provided by the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plant & Pest Center (MITPPC) with funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust fund, as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), and the MN Extension IPM Program. Artwork, photographs, and text were developed by Drs. Theresa Cira, and Bill Hutchison, both with the UMN Extension IPM Program (E-IPM funding via USDA-NIFA), and Department of Entomology. IT support was provided by Eileen Luke, Purdue University Extension.
For more information: Contact Extension Entomologist, Bill Hutchison (hutch002@umn.edu)
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