Why are they a problem?
Brown marmorated stink bugs are a pest of horticultural, commercial and ornamental crops (Wermelinger et al. 2008; Leskey et al. 2012). Brown marmorated stink bugs cause plant wilting, fruit discolouration or disfiguration (Figure 5), excessive sap flow, bark or stem discolouration and sometimes plant death (Wermelinger et al. 2008; Leskey et al. 2012; DAWR 2015). In their native range, Brown marmorated stink bugs are known to cause severe damage to horticultural and soybean crops (Wermelinger et al. 2008).
Figure 5: Brown marmorated stink bug damage on a (a) tomato (Virginia Cooperative Extension 2011), (b) capsicum (DAWR 2015) and (c) nectarine (Virginia Cooperative Extension 2011).
Brown marmorated stink bugs pose no direct risk to humans as they do not sting or bite and are not known to transmit human pathogens; however, they are known to be a nuisance as they congregate in large numbers in man-made structures to overwinter and emit an unpleasant odour when disturbed (Wermelinger et al. 2008; Leskey et al. 2012).
Brown marmorated stink bugs may have the potential to vector pathogens from one host to another through feeding (Leskey et al. 2012). In their native range, Brown marmorated stink bugs are a vector for several phytoplasmas that cause plant diseases such as witch’s broom (Wermelinger et al. 2008; Leskey et al. 2012).
Brown marmorated stink bugs may have the potential to vector pathogens from one host to another through feeding (Leskey et al. 2012). In their native range, Brown marmorated stink bugs are a vector for several phytoplasmas that cause plant diseases such as witch’s broom (Wermelinger et al. 2008; Leskey et al. 2012).