LANSING - The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) today confirmed the presence of brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys (Stål), in Michigan. The identity of two specimens – one from Berrien County and the other from Eaton County - were collected by Michigan State University students and verified by U.S. Department of Agriculture entomologists in late January. This is the first confirmation of this pest in the state.

BMSB can be a serious pest of a variety of fruits, vegetables, field crops, and ornamental plants. In its native range, it feeds on a wide variety of host plants. In Michigan, potentially impacted fruits include apples, peaches, and mulberries. It has also been reported on many ornamental plants, weeds, soybeans and beans for human consumption. Feeding on tree fruits such as apple results in a characteristic distortion referred to as “cat facing,” that renders the fruit unmarketable as a fresh product.

“Exotic pests such as the brown marmorated stink bug pose a serious threat to the economic health of Michigan’s $71.3 billion agri-food industry and our 53,000 farmers,” said Keith Creagh, MDA Director. “MDA and Michigan State University researchers will work in concert to both identify control recommendations for our agriculture community as well as monitor this pest’s spread in the state.”

Brown marmorated stink bug is native to eastern Asia and was first discovered in the U.S. in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1998. Since then, it has spread quickly and now inhabits most eastern states, as well as California and Oregon. BMSB superficially resembles several common species of stink bug native to Michigan. Stink bugs can also be a significant indoor nuisance, entering homes in large numbers in the fall in search of protected overwintering sites - a behavior it shares with another exotic pest, the multicolored Asian lady beetle.

Adults are approximately 17 millimeters long and are shades of brown on both the upper and lower body surfaces. They are the typical “shield” shape of other stink bugs, almost as wide as they are long. To distinguish them from other stink bugs, look for lighter bands on the antennae and darker bands on the membranous, overlapping part at the rear of the front pair of wings. They have patches of coppery or bluish-metallic colored punctures (small rounded depressions) on the head and pronotum. The name “stink bug” refers to the scent glands located on the dorsal surface of the abdomen and the underside of the thorax.

“Currently, the best available method for controlling BMSB indoors is by sealing entry points like cracks around window and door trim, exhaust vents, air conditioners, ceiling fixtures, etc,” said Gina Davis, acting director, MDA Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division. “Once they’ve gained entry, vacuuming live and dead bugs is the best option. Pesticide treatments are not recommended because they will not prevent additional invasions.”

For more information on brown marmorated stink bug, you can visit www.michigan.gov/mda or http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/animals/stinkbug.shtml

EDITOR’S NOTE: Video and audio clips are available on MDA’s online press room and YouTube channel. Photos are also available in the MDA online press room.

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