What is a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug? They arrived in the province of BC in approximately 2015 so are a newer invasive species and Fall is the time of year they are looking for somewhere to winter over. As I have no knowledge or experience with these bugs it is a huge learning curve. This article is only touching the surface of information on these bugs which originated in Asia and believe to be transported to other countries by cargo ships.
The Origin & Life Cycle of Stink Bug
A. The stink bugs first appeared in the USA in the 1990’s and arrived in Canada in the past decade:
QUOTE : “Brown marmorated stink bug was first detected in British Columbia in 2015 and is present at low levels in urban areas of Fraser Valley and Vancouver, Brentwood Bay on Vancouver Island and the Okanagan Valley, as of October 2017.”
If you recognize these invasive bugs check and report to BC Ministry of Agriculture if they are not already recorded in your area. Reporting information in the following link to Report Suspect BMSB in the province of BC Ministry of Agriculture link. Pest Alert: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)
B. The Life Cycle of the Marmorated Stink Bug :
- Adults emerge in Spring after overwintering in protected areas (i.e. your home, etc)
- Adults begin mating (multiple times) within 2 weeks after emerging
- Females may deposit 486 eggs in their short lifetime
- Stink bugs live from 6 to 10 months depending on environment and food
- Weather is a large factor in length of life as they enjoy very mild winters and very hot summers
BMSB is a serious agricultural pest because its adults and nymphs feed on a wide variety of fruiting crops, causing damage to the fruit flesh and skin, making them unsuitable for food markets, but the damage caused by the BMSB is not limited to feeding activities.
“Forest Invasives”
Information on how they are fighting the invasive Stink Bug in Victoria, Australia. A short recent video.
Stink Bug Notes
- The stink bugs seem to have a very wide variety of eating preferences which not only includes 300 different plant species, such as fruit, mulch leaves, but also other insects such as caterpillars
- Fall is the time of year to watch for, and prevent these stinky bugs from finding a place to live in your home or outbuildings. They appear to be anywhere, and oftentimes everywhere in the most unlikely places. We have found them hiding in paper towel rolls & papers.
- Stink bugs also like moisture so keep watch on windows and doors and seal off any possible cracks which may be a “bug” entrance into your home
QUOTE : Biological control: Trissolcus japonicus that attack the eggs of brown marmorated stink bugs in Asia have been found in the United States. Researchers in British Columbia are looking for the wasp. Other predators such as spiders, ladybugs and lacewings will feed on brown marmorated stink bug eggs.
BC Ministry of Agriculture on BMSB
In Closing:
Yes the brown stink bugs really do stink! Fortunately they do not bite humans or pets and other animals and are not known to damage buildings. Infestations can happen quickly in their short lifespan. This invasive species is potentially threatening to agricultural crops especially in the Okanagan and the Fraser Valley. Watch out for this “exotic high priority pest” when Fall gardening. We are more than likely going to be seeing lots more of them in the future.
QUOTE : This bug is well established in many regions of the world including China, Europe and the USA, where it is not considered to be a quarantine pest.
National Pest & Disease Outbreaks (Australia)
Please check out the Links which include many recent, relevant articles and reports.
Links & References:
- Research Prime Defences for Stink Bug Invasion Kelowna, BC (March 2020)
- Comprehensive article from Ontario Ministry of Agriculture (2020) on the “Brown Marmorated Stink Bug“
- Invasive Species Centre Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Canada (2020)
- Stink Bug information from Oregon University (2015)
- Brown Marmorated Stink Bug ID & Biology, University Mass Extension
- Stink Bugs Facts with much more general information
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