Brown marmorated stink bug
Alert
Be on the lookout for brown marmorated stink bug and report any sightings immediately.
Reporting options
- Report online.
- Phone Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
- Phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
Adult brown marmorated stink bug
© David R. Lance
Brown marmorated stink bug eggs hatched
© David R. Lance
Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys or BMSB) is a plant pest that can damage agricultural crops, nursery stock and ornamental plants.
It is highly invasive and has spread to all Northern Hemisphere continents. It is not found in Australia.
It is a significant threat to Australia's agriculture because it has a wide host range, and can cause serious damage to a variety of fruit and vegetable crops. Early detection and reporting are key elements in controlling brown marmorated stink bug.
Brown marmorated stink bug can be present in very high numbers. During cooler months, large numbers will seek shelter and 'overwinter' on and inside buildings, vehicles, shipping containers and industrial structures. It is also known as a nuisance pest because of the foul-smelling odour it produces when disturbed.
Scientific name
Other names
- BMSB
- Yellow-brown marmorated stink bug
- Yellow-brown stink bug
Description
Adults
- Adults are medium to large (12–17mm long and 7–10mm wide) insects.
- They have shield-shaped bodies.
- They are generally mottled brown in colour.
- They have alternating light and dark bands on the antennae, the legs and the side margins of the abdomen.
Nymphs
- There are 5 flightless nymph stages.
- Size ranges from less than 3mm to 12mm long.
- Nymphs are orange and black when they first hatch but quickly develop a similar colouration to the adults.
Eggs
- Eggs are laid in clusters of 25 to 30 on the underside of leaves.
- They are light green to white in colour.
- They are barrel-shaped, and about 1.6mm long and 1.33mm wide.
Plant stage and plant parts affected
The insect can affect leaves, shoots, stems, trunks and fruit of host plants. Plants of different ages can be affected.
Plant damage
Nymphs and adults use piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed. The insects feed on leaves, shoots and stems, and through the bark of some trees.
Both nymphs and adults prefer to feed on developing and ripe fruits and seeds. Feeding damage to fruit can result in sunken areas, corky spots and scarring. As the fruit develops, it may become discoloured and deformed. Premature fruit drop can also occur.
In crops such as maize and soybean, feeding damage can result in shrunken seeds or can halt seed development.
Feeding can also damage plant vegetative tissues, which can result in plant wilt and reduced vigour.
May be confused with
Brown marmorated stink bug can be confused with a number of other brown-coloured stink bugs that are present in Australia. More information is available from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
If you are in doubt, contact us online, by phone or in person.
Distribution
Brown marmorated stink bug is native to eastern Asia (China, Japan and Taiwan). It was introduced to North America in the mid-1990s and more recently to Europe, where it is rapidly becoming a serious pest.
It is not present in Australia but is often found at the border by quarantine service agencies.
Hosts
Brown marmorated stink bug is highly polyphagous, meaning it has been reported to feed on a very large number of host plants (over 300). These include:
- apple
- bean
- blueberry
- capsicum
- citrus
- corn
- cucumber
- eggplant
- grape
- ornamental plants (only some)
- peach
- pumpkin
- soybean
- tomato
- watermelon.
Some plants are affected more seriously by this insect than others.
Prevention
Legal requirements
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has import conditions in place for goods arriving from countries where brown marmorated stink bug is present.