From September 15 through October 15 the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Appalachian Fruit Research Station called upon citizens across the nation to log activity of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) in the second annual Great Stink Bug Count. The USDA hopes to learn more about the location and volume of stink bug populations through the US, as well as collecting behavioral data such as which house color attracts the most BMSB. Scientists speculate that populations may be down due to severe temperatures last winter; with luck, the “stink bug census” will confirm this hypothesis.
Meanwhile, researchers with IR-4 and USDA-ARS continue to investigate control methods for the BMSB that align with IPM. Current control methods generally involve the use of broad-spectrum chemicals with negative effects on beneficial insect and mite populations. Preliminary results indicate promising use of pheromones for monitoring populations and for concentrating BMSB in specific insecticide-treated locations within a crop to limit impacts on beneficials. Read more about these findings.
From IPM Voice
Filed under: news Tagged: BMSB, brown marmorated stink bug, Fruit Research Station, great stink bug count, IR-4, USDA, USDA ARS
