Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys)

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Photo credit: Mohammed El Damir, Bugwood.org

Management Category

Synonyms

BMSB

ID Characteristics

Egg: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) eggs are spherical or barrel-shaped, white or pale green, and laid in clusters of 5 to 50 on the underside of leaves.

Shape: The BMSB has a shield-shaped body with a blunt head. Females are slightly larger than males. Adults are 13-17 mm long.

Colour: It is brown and marbled, hence its name. Newly moulted adults may be white.

Other distinctive characteristics:

Alternative brown and white markings on the outer edge of the abdomen
White bands on the last 2 segments of the antennae
BMSB emit a foul odour when crushed or threatened.

Similar Species

Native

Rough stink bugs, Common brown stink bugs and Western conifer seed bugs are sometimes confused with BMSB.

None of these species have white bands on the antennae, which are characteristic of BMSB.

Note that the damage made by Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs is indistinguishable from the damage done by other stink bug species.

Habitat and Origin

Origin: Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs are native to Asia. They were first detected in BC in 2015, but have been in the US since 2001.

Habitat: The BMSB attacks fruit trees, berries, grapes, vegetables and ornamental plants. In BC, the BMSB hosts include many fruit trees (e.g., apple, apricots, etc.); ornamental trees and shrubs (e.g., honey locust, catalpa, magnolia, rose, etc.); and invasive plants (e.g., Tree of Heaven, Common Hops, Wild Clematis).

Regional distribution: The BMSB is now established in certain communities of southwest BC, such as Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and Kelowna.

How it Spreads

Reproduction: Females lay eggs between June and August. The eggs hatch in 4 – 5 days. Nymphs mature in about 5 weeks. They go through 5 nymph stages before adulthood, starting in May or June. In BC, researchers have observed one generation of stink bugs per year; in its native range, BMSB can produce 6 generations yearly.

Vectors of Spread: Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs are excellent hitchhikers. They can hide in shipping containers, wood, packing material, cargo and vehicles.

Impacts

Ecological:

When feeding, Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs inject enzymes that destroy plant tissue; this leads to deformed and discoloured fruits and seeds, delayed plant maturity, and discoloured tree bark.

Economic:

The bugs leave punctures that turn the produce skin hard and pithy, which damages the crops and renders them unmarketable.
The presence of BMSB on grapes at crush can taint wine.
The BMSB has become a serious pest in other parts of North America for crops like apples, peaches, grapes, etc.

Social:

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs are a nuisance to homeowners.
They emit a foul odour when crushed (similar to cilantro). However, they don’t bite people or animals, nor do they damage buildings.

Prevent the Spread

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs have been observed in Squamish but not in other parts of the Sea to Sky region. PREVENTION of further spread and new introductions is key:

Learn to identify the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: Use the images presented on this profile page.

What to do if you spot it: You can report any Brown Marmorated Stink Bug sighting by visiting our reporting page.

DO:

Manage vegetation: Keep foliage trimmed and away from buildings; rake plant debris away from the foundations.
Inspect patio furniture: Closed patio umbrellas and soft outdoor furniture are a common hiding place for BMSB. Inspect them regularly, and store them in well-sealed containers or bins in the off-season.
Turn off the lights: Keep outdoor lighting to a minimum, since BMSB are attracted to light.
Use homemade repellent spray: In a spray bottle, combine four parts hot water, two parts white vinegar and one part dish soap. Spray around windows, doors and at the base of the building; repeat once a week or after it rains.

Control

Mechanical Control:

If present in small numbers, BMSB can be removed by hand or using a broom or shop vacuum.
Remove the vacuum bag afterwards to prevent the stink bugs from re-entering the building.
It si also possible to make stink bug traps at home: fill a shallow dish with soapy water and place it under a lamp. Since BMSB are attracted to light at night, they will fall into the liquid and drown.

Chemical Control:

Few insecticides are registered for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in Canada.

We recommend that any pesticide application is carried out by a person holding a valid BC Pesticide Applicator Certificate. Before selecting and applying pesticides, you must review and follow pesticide labels and application rates; municipal, regional, provincial and federal laws and regulations; species-specific treatment recommendations, and site-specific goals and objectives.

Biological control:

The Samurai wasp (Trissolcus japonicus), a parasitic wasp found in Asia, attacks the eggs of BMSB in Asia and has been found in the US and Canada, but its exact impact in BC is not yet known.