Orchard Crops

Integrated Pest Management for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in Orchard Crops

IPM for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in Orchard CropsThis guidance document, authored by the BMSB SCRI CAP Orchard Crop Commodity Team, provides a synopsis of what researchers have learned so far and management recommendations using an integrated approach.

Topics Include

  • Basic Biology and Life Cycle of BMSB
  • Orchard Crops at Risk / Crops Not at Risk
  • Orchard Crop Injury Diagnostics
  • Period of Risk/Susceptibility
  • Provisional Monitoring and Scouting Recommendations
  • Provisional Management Strategies
  • Biological Control
  • Effective Insecticides for Controlling BMSB in Orchard Crops
  • Problems That May Arise from Multiple Post-Bloom Applications of Broad-Spectrum Insecticides in Orchard Crops

DownloadIntegrated Pest Management for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in Orchard Crops

En EspañolInformación importante sobre huertos de frutas
 


 

IPM-CPR (Integrated Pest Management Crop Perimeter Restructuring)

IPM-CPRThe brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) has disrupted long-standing tree fruit IPM programs resulting in changing management practices to combat the threat posed by this invasive pest. Current management tools for BMSB rely on weekly, season-long applications of broad-spectrum insecticides that are costly, risk pest resistance, and may cause secondary pest outbreaks. The goal of IPM-CPR is to re-introduce common IPM practices (phenology based, reduce risk insecticide usage, mating disruption, and biological control) back into tree fruit management. The implementation of IPM-CPR for the management of key tree fruit pests may be less costly, more sustainable, enhance biological control, and be just as effective as current standard management methods.

DownloadIPM-CPR (Integrated Pest Management Crop Perimeter Restructuring)


 

Extent of BMSB Problem in Orchard Crops

BMSB feeds on and can injure apple, pear, peach, apricot, cherry, nectarine, peach, plum, and hazelnut. A major BMSB outbreak in the mid-Atlantic region and increasing populations in parts of the Pacific Northwest in 2010 created significant economic problems for many orchard crop growers.

Research Goals

Our research team is studying BMSB feeding injury and monitoring population and effects of BMSB in wild host plants and tree fruit orchards. Understanding how BMSB responds to light and smell will enable us to attract the insect into baited traps in orchards, a potential control strategy.

Updates and Findings

  • Although BMSB caused damage to orchard crops throughout the mid-Atlantic states in 2011, its overall effects were not as severe as in 2010, as growers used more targeted and aggressive management programs. Since these programs often relied heavily on broad-spectrum insecticides that can be disruptive to the parasitic wasps, predatory mites, and other natural enemies of some pest insects, growers noted increased instances of mite, aphid, and scale outbreaks in 2011.
  • In 2012, the size of the overwintering BMSB population was much reduced, compared with 2011. Commercial tree fruit orchards experienced fewer problems, although researchers and growers still detected crop injury.
  • Scientists improved their methods for diagnosing fruit injury.

More Resources

August 19, 2019 Severe Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Damage in California Orchard

Last May, a Turlock, CA, almond grower noticed nearly all the nuts on a row of trees in his orchard had fallen to the ground. UCCE Integrated Pest Management advisor Jhalendra Rijal determined the cause was an infestation of brown marmorated stink bug. Source: Fruit Growers News, Aug. 19, 2019.



August 7, 2018 Scientists Deploy Attract-and-Kill Trees against Stink Bugs

Rob Morrison, a research entomologist with the USDA-ARS Center for Grain and Animal Health Research, describes a method for baiting select border-row trees with an aggregation pheromone of the brown marmorated stink bug.



July 16, 2013 Scientists Publish on Stink Bug's Favorite Plants, Damage

Researchers unveil a list of 170 plants that the brown marmorated stink bug attacks, and web videos show how to monitor for infestations.



October 16, 2012 Scientists Draw Maps to Stop Stink Bug Pirates

An integrated pest management program running since the 1980s has led to fresh insights about a new invader. Scientists are deploying maps to aid the fight.



July 26, 2012 Researchers Discover the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug's Winter Hideout

New insights into the invasive pest’s behavior could help growers protect farms located near woodlands.



June 18, 2012 Oregon State University Researchers Find Ag Pest Gaining Ground

The brown marmorated stink bug has turned up in the orchards of Hood River and the Rogue River Valley. Source: Oregon Public Broadcasting, June 18, 2012.



May 16, 2012 BMSB Activity in New Jersey Orchards

This plant and pest advisory provides BMSB updates for fruit growers in New Jersey. Source: Anne Nielsen, Rutgers University.