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Keep an eye out for Brown Marmorated Stinkbug

Authors: Bob Koch (Extension soybean entomologist), Rafael Aita (Graduate student) and Natalie Hoidal (Extension educator - vegetable production systems)

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) is a relatively new invasive insect in Minnesota with a wide range of host crops, including many fruit and vegetable crops. It was first detected in the U.S. in the mid-1990’s and in Minnesota in 2010. Entomologists expect that as populations build, the BMSB may become an important pest species.

In its native region of China, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, it is a significant pest of fruit trees. In the US, it feeds on wine grapes, apple trees and other fruit trees, various beans species (soybean, green bean, dry beans), raspberries, grapes, tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn, and various ornamental plants. It feeds by inserting needle-like mouthparts (stylets) into developing fruit, which can cause abortion of seeds, deformation, and discoloration, which in turn affect yield and quality. We expect populations to build from mid-August through October.

BMSB looks similar to some native stink bug species; however, it can be distinguished by the light-colored bands on the antennae and the alternating light-dark color pattern located on the edges of the abdomen (Figure 1). In addition, the “marmorated” part of its name comes from the marbled-brown coloration of its body. To aid you in identifying BMSB and some native stink bugs, download the free Midwest Stink Bug Assistant app, created by the UMN Extension IPM Program.


Figure 1: Adult brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), with arrows indicating the characteristic light-colored bands on dark antennae and the alternating light-dark patter on the edges of the abdomen.

If you see BMSB in your fields, please report it to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Arrest the Pest email / hotline! Email: arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us. If possible, include a photo as well as the location of the sighting and any notes about the sighting.


More information about BMSB: FruitEdge. A map of the BMSB detections in Minnesota can be found on the MDA webpage: “BMSB activity in MN”.
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