Green Stink Bug (R. Bessin, 2000), KYU.edu
- Green Stink Bug Nymph (R. Bessin, 2000), KYU.edu
The center has been receiving a higher number than normal of calls and emails about stink bugs. The nymphal stages are appearing now feeding on all types of fruits and vegetables. Stink bugs have a piercing/sucking mouth part used to stick into plants and produce to eat. Their feeding results in damaged vegetables and fruits and plants. All stink bug are shield-shaped and have five segmented antennae. They are in the family Pentatomida, Greek for five segments referring to the antennae. Stink bugs have barrel-shaped eggs the adult female lays in groupings called rafts, on the underside of leaves. Eggs hatch into nymphs that gather around the raft of empty eggs until they molt into their second stage. Each stage after hatch and molts are called instars. Stink bugs have five instars until reaching adulthood. Eggs are laid during June and July and typically take five weeks to reach maturity. The highest number of populations will be during September until we have cold weather and frost. Adult will over-winter in leaf litter and other protected sites. These same adults will emerge on spring when temperatures are a steady 70 degrees F. and begin the annual cycle again. There is only one generation a year in the Northeast.
There are 55 different species of stink bugs in Connecticut, 16 are predators that feed on other insects. The remaining 36 are plant feeders. these are the ones gardeners typically notice and are not happy about finding in their gardens. Damage to fruits and vegetables are from their piercing/sucking mouth parts injected into the produce as the insect sucks up the juices. Control measures are handpicking, row covers to keep the insects off of the plants and searching for and crushing egg rafts earlier in the season.
Connecticut has a new invasive stink bug from Asia. The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug was first found in the U.S. in 1998 in Pennsylvania. It has quickly spread east and north to us. BMSB can occur in high numbers damaging crops and is also quite a nuisance as it seeks over-wintering shelter in homes and buildings. Exclusionary measures of caulking and screening openings, such as vents and crevices will keep them out of the house.
brown marmorated stink, psu.edu
-Carol Quish
BMSB later stage nymph, Penn State Univ.
BMSB Nymphs, Penn State Univ.
August 29, 2012 at 6:19 pm
I have noticed a lot of the stink bugs in and around my house. I am wondering how I can get rid of them?
August 30, 2012 at 1:35 pm
Drop them in a container of soapy water after hand picking them outside. Before Bugs Enter a Building
Mechanical exclusion is the best method to keep stink bugs from entering homes and buildings. Cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys, and underneath the wood fascia and other openings should be sealed with good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Damaged screens on doors and windows should be repaired or replaced.
Exterior applications of insecticides may offer some minor relief from infestations where the task of completely sealing the exterior is difficult or impossible. Applications should consist of a synthetic pyrethroid (i.e. deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, sumithrin or tralomethrin) and should be applied by a licensed pest control operator in the fall just prior to bug congregation. Unfortunately, because insecticides are broken down by sunlight, the residual effect of the material will be greatly decreased and may not kill the insects much beyond several days or a week.
After Stink Bugs Have Entered the Structure
If numerous bugs are entering the living areas of the home, attempt to locate the openings where the insects gain access. Typically, stink bugs will emerge from cracks under or behind baseboards, around window and door trim, and around exhaust fans or lights in ceilings. Seal these openings with caulk or other suitable materials to prevent the insects from crawling out. Both live and dead stink bugs can be removed from interior areas with the aid of a vacuum cleaner – however, the vacuum may acquire the smell of stink bugs for a period of time.