Brown Marmorated Stink Bug - unwanted in NZ!
A risk to New Zealand
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) is a major threat to the New Zealand economy and the public. It's high on New Zealand's biosecurity most unwanted list.
It's in Asia and Europe, and has aggressively invaded the USA, where its caused millions of dollars of crop damage – rapidly rendering fruit and other produce unsaleable for example. It’s a tremendous public nuisance too, readily invading houses in cooler conditions.
Hitch Hiker Risk - keep an eye out
In winter the stink bug hibernates in sheltered spaces; in buildings and vehicles for example. Thus cargo, containers, vehicle imports, personal luggage and mail are risk pathways for entry into New Zealand, especially during our spring to autumn seasons.
If you've purchased goods that have been recently sourced from Europe, Asia and the US, please check for any sign of BMSB hibernation. This includes personal goods such as items purchased over the internet - see MPI's web-page and fact sheet.
If you find one, or suspect you've found one, catch it, photograph it and call MPI’s Exotic Pests and Diseases hotline on 0800 80 99 66.
8-Mar-2017
Links
MPI's BMSB web-page
MPI's BMSB fact sheet
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
BMSB has not been detected in New Zealand
If you find one of these catch it and call it in on 0800 80 99 66.
If possible photograph and/or collect samples.
Travellers and those receiving mail from overseas: Please make sure you open luggage and mail from overseas in an enclosed space to contain any hitch-hiking pests.
You can identify a BMSB by the following:
- adults are about the size of a $1 coin and have
- white banding on the antennae
- alternate black and white markings on the abdomen
- eggs that are light green, barrel shaped, and found in clusters of 20-30.
Join the Hunt
In this video, Ruud 'Bug Man' Kleinpaste explains why brown marmorated stink bugs will be so bad for New Zealand if they get established.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
BMSB eggs and nymphs
In the Garden
