Squamish and Sea to Sky residents, keep an eye out, there’s a new invasive bug in town!
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug was recently spotted in Squamish. We need your help to better understand its distribution.
What’s that?
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys) is an insect native to Asia (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China). It was first detected in BC in 2015. This invasive insect is now established in the Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions, as well as on Vancouver Island and around Kelowna, but this is the first report that SSISC has received of a sighting in the Sea to Sky.
Distribution of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in the Pacific Northwest (source: iNaturalist observations)
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) is a fairly small (under 2 cm long) shield bug, with a triangular body and a brown marbled appearance.
It has two white bands towards the end of its antennae, a reliable identification characteristic.
Many lookalikes
There are many native insects that could be confused for BMSB. These include:
- Rough stink bug, which has rough skin on and spines on the shoulders
- Common brown stink bug, which doesn’t have white bands on its antennae
- Western conifer seed bug, which doesn’t have white bands on its antennae and has leaf-like back legs.
Reasons for concern
The potential impacts of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug are wide-ranging.
Economic impacts
- As they feed on fruit and vegetables, the bugs leave punctures that turn the skin hard and pithy, which damages the crops and renders the produce unmarketable.
- The presence of adult BMSB on grapes at crush can taint wine.
- BMSB has become a serious pest in other parts of North America for crops like apples, peaches, sunflowers, bell peppers, grapes, etc.
- It is estimated that in the mid-Atlantic States, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug caused $37 million in losses in the apple industry alone in 2010.
Social impacts
- BMSB are a nuisance to homeowners. Adult BMSB aggregate on and in buildings in search of a warm spot to overwinter.
- They emit a foul odour (similar to cilantro) when crushed. However, they don’t bite people or animals, nor do they damage buildings.
Ecological impacts
- Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs feed on fruits, leaves and seeds by injecting enzymes that destroy plant tissue; this leads to deformed and discoloured fruits and seeds; delayed plant maturity, and discoloured tree bark, among other impacts.
What can you do?
If you’ve spotted a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in the Sea to Sky region, please report it directly to the BC Government using this form.
Links
References
- Fraser Valley Invasive Species Society, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, https://fviss.ca/other-invasives-1/bmsb
- Government of BC, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Pest Alert, https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/animals-and-crops/plant-health/insects-and-plant-diseases/tree-fruits/brown-marmorated-stink-bug
- Invasive Species Council of BC, Brown marmorated stink bug, https://bcinvasives.ca/invasives/brown-marmorated-stink-bug/
Other articles you might enjoy
Add Comment