Homeowners in the Northwest asked to look out for invasive bug

By Susan S. Lang

Wanted, dead or alive: the brown-marmorated stink bug.

Hoebeke

"We are asking homeowners in the Pacific Northwest to be on the lookout for these bugs, and if they think they have found any, to collect them and send to me or to take a digital image to e-mail to me," said E. Richard Hoebeke, a Cornell senior extension associate in entomology.

This invasive pest (Pentatomidae: Halyomorpha halys) -- also known as the East Asian stink bug or yellow-brown stink bug -- is infesting urban areas in four mid-Atlantic states. It poses a threat to apples, pears, peaches, figs, mulberries, citrus, persimmon and soy beans.

Hoebeke first identified the brown-marmorated stink bug in the United States in Allentown, Pa., in 2001. He surmises that the insect had hitchhiked in cargo containers from Asia. Since then the brown-marmorated stink bug has been identified in parts of New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware.

"We just got word, however, that a specimen was recently found in a bark beetle trap near Portland, Ore.," said Hoebeke, a taxonomist and assistant curator of the Cornell Insect Collection, one of the world's largest insect repositories. "This has us very concerned that the stink bugs may be now in parts of the Pacific Northwest and perhaps elsewhere, but we need homeowners to help us look for them."

Homeowners in the Pacific Northwest are asked to be on the lookout for the invasive pest and to contact Richard Hoebeke at Cornell if they find it. Kent Loeffer

What to look for: Brown-marmorated stink bugs are shield-shaped, dark, "marbled" brown insects, about three-quarters of an inch long. Unique markings include antennae with alternating dark and light patterns, alternating white and black markings along the rear edges of the abdomen, and patches of coppery or bluish metallic-colored punctures on the head and remainder of body.

Where to look: This time of year, the stink bugs are trying to find places to overwinter. Homeowners may find them on the exterior walls of buildings or around their doors and windowsills.

The bugs are harmless to humans, though they will emit a noxious odor when disturbed.

The brown-marmorated stink bug is indigenous to Asia and is considered a major agricultural pest in China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Already, some local organic farmers in the Allentown area have seen their fruit harvest heavily damaged by this new invader.

"Before we can decide how best to counter the infestation, we need to assess to what extent this new pest species has invaded the United States," said Hoebeke. "That's where we need homeowners to help."

To contact Hoebeke, send e-mail to him at erh2@cornell.edu or telephone him at 255-6530.