The document discusses the brown marmorated stink bug invasion in the United States. It describes the identifying features of the insect, its life cycle with multiple generations per year, how its population has exploded by spreading to over half of Pennsylvania and many other states since first entering the US in the 1990s, and the challenges it poses with its ability to damage plants and infest homes without natural predators. The document provides tips for controlling and reducing stink bugs both outdoors on plants and barriers, and indoors through treating cracks and crevices along with well-timed exterior treatments in late summer.

1. Stink Bugs
Invasion
• What are they?
• Where are they from?
• What do they do?
• Biology and Habits
• CONTROL STINK BUGS!

2. Identifying
the
Brown
Marmorated
Stink Bug
red eyes
& ocelli
black and
white
banding
white
banding
Image courtesy of David J. Shetlar, The Ohio State University
Look for these
unique identifying
features…

3. Ventral side:
(abdominal)
• Adults - 5/8” (14 -17mm)
• Light colored
• May have black or
gray markings
• Legs: brown with faint
white bands

4. Life Cycle:
Photos from Rutgers University
• April: mating
• Females lay clusters
~28 eggs June -Sept.
(up to 400 eggs in
female’s lifetime).
• Nymphs undergo 5
instars, 1 week/instar.
Various stages seen at
one time in summer.
• 1-2 generation in PA,
up to 5 in S. China!
• Fall temperatures chase
adults indoors.
Eggs Instar I
Instar IV Instar V

5. More photos
of life
cycle:
• Newly hatched
nymphs stay
clustered near eggs
• Instar I (top right)
• Instar II – “Tick-like”
(bottom photos)
Karen Bernhard, Penn State University
Both Right: Gary Bernon, USDA-APHISDeepak Matadha, Rutgers University

6. Population
EXPLOSION:
• Entered the U.S. in
Allentown, PA area in
early 1990’s from
Japan or China
• Today infesting over
half of Pennsylvania

7. Population
EXPLOSION:
• 20012001 – 5 more counties in– 5 more counties in
E. PA & 2 counties in NJE. PA & 2 counties in NJ
• 20032003 – MD, SC & MN– MD, SC & MN
• 20042004 – WV, VA & OR– WV, VA & OR
• 20052005 – DE & CA– DE & CA
• 20072007 – OH– OH

8. Challenges
WE ALL face:
• Changing Habits
• No natural predators in U.S.
• Very rapidly expanding range
• Spreading faster than
most diseases
• Changing food preferences
• Major economic impact

9. Plant Damage in U.S. so far…
Fruits
• Asian Pear, Peach, Apple, Raspberry, Grape, Apricot
• Damage appearing in orchards and backyard gardens
Deepak Matadha, Rutgers University

10. Veggies
• String beans, onions
• The list is growing as their numbers grow…
Deepak Matadha, Rutgers University
Plant Damage in U.S. so far…

11. • Ornamentals
• Buddleia
• Honeysuckle
• Paulownia
Shade trees
• Norway Maple
• Catalpa
• Crabapple
Plant Damage in U.S. so far…

12. Challenges:
• No Natural Predators
• Get in through tiny cracks
• Safest place to overwinter
is in YOUR HOME!
• Reproduce TWO
generations per summer
• Infest in large numbers

13. Nothing
funny
about stink
bugs:
Once STINK BUGS are in your
home, you have three choices:
1.Live with them
2.Kill them yourself
3.Put together a control plan

14. You can
put up barriers
•screens
•caulking
•screen house
vents & eaves

15. You can reduce and
eliminate attractants
•Tomato plants and
fruit-bearing ornamentals
•Trim foliage back from house
•Remove veggie
garden EARLY

16. Installing
light traps
can help
keep stink
bugs away
from your
family living
area

17. Treating
cracks and
crevices can
help on the
inside and
outside of
your home

18. Carefully
timed exterior
treatment
Late Summer!!!!

19. What you can
expect:
• Reduction of stink bugs
entering your home
• Reduction of stink bugs
OVERWINTERING in your home
(attic, chimney, walls, basement,
insulation)
• Reduction of stink bugs annoying you
in your living area
• Reduction of stink bugs leaving
your home next spring
Reductio
n!

20.  Questions?