The stink bug is apparently here to stay

The stink bug is apparently here to stay, along with hundreds other species introduced either intentionally or accidently to the homes, landscapes and ecosystems of North America. And just to make things more complicated for those of us who do not spend every waking hour thinking about invasive species, there are two non-native, alien, exotic stink bug species heading toward s each other along the east coast of the United States.[1]  (Stink bug species invades our space - September 2010)

Summary of Agency Activities in USDA Concerning

 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) - Halyomorpha halys[2]

APHIS Involvement with Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)

APHIS is supportive of Agricultural Research Services (ARS) development and evaluation of the most current science available on BMSB to provide management tools.  APHIS can provide assistance in transferring biological control technology to state partners once tools are available. 

APHIS appointed a national program coordinator to stay abreast of research and state-level activities concerning BMSB.  APHIS re-evaluating the risk the pest poses based on new scientific findings.  This could be completed this calendar year. 

ARS Involvement with Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)

ARS has taken the lead in developing a coordinated research plan to strengthen the Agency’s capacities in BMSB studies.  In recent weeks, ARS developed a BMSB Action Plan in collaboration with Pennsylvania State University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Rutgers University, University of Maryland, and the University of Vermont.  The Action Plan will build on ARS’ existing biological control research in Newark, Delaware, efforts to develop pheromone attractants in Beltsville, Maryland, and studies on the biology and behavior of the insect in Kearneysville, West Virginia, as well as the research capabilities of each university partner.  Over the short-term, research will focus on devising a strategy for pesticide use to address the immediate need, while medium- and long-term efforts will seek to better understand the insect’s basic biology and behavior, host range, geographic distribution, and natural enemies to support development of effective integrated pest management strategies, including biological control agents. 

RMA Involvement with Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)

The Risk Management Agency has not received requests for loss assistance relative to the BMSB.  However, they expect there may be justifiable claims in the future.

FS Involvement with Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)

The Forest Service has not received any indication thus far of damage to forestry holdings due to BMSB. 

ORACBA Involvement with Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)

The Office of Risk Assessment and Cost Benefit Analysis has not been asked to perform any assessments on the impact of BMSB.  They are aware of the situation and ready to assist any analysis deemed appropriate.

NASS Involvement with Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)

The National Agricultural Statistics Service has reported the economic effect of BMSB on apples and peaches in the West Virginia.  It has been named the predominate pest in 2010.  They have reported that 25% or more loss in peach orchards.  It has also been reported a serious pest in Maryland.  Reports and data are just coming in.

IPM Centers Involvement with Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)

Pest Alert:  http://www.ncipmc.org/alerts/stinkbug_alert.pdf

Field Guide:  http://www.sripmc.org/NewsAlerts/Stink_bug_ad.pdf

NIFA Involvement with Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)

The Multistate Research Project S1039, entitled Biology, Impact, and Management of Soybean Insect Pests in Soybean Production Systems has recognized the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) as a serious and escalating pest of soybeans for several years.  Projects such as S1039 coordinate and collaborate activities to achieve a clearer understanding of BMSB biology and potential management strategies that are economical and effective.

The journal, American Entomologist, published by the Entomological Society of America, printed an article entitled Invasive Species: Real Threats to the Homeland in the Spring 2009 issue (Volume 55, Number 1, Pages 14-25).  This article comprises a collection of the proceedings of a Section E (Regulatory and Extension Entomology) symposium, co-organized by Monte P. Johnson (NIFA) and George C. Hamilton (Rutgers).  Included in that article was a presentation by Dr. Hamilton concerning the spread of this exotic pest and the serious nature of BMSB infestation.

NIFA has recently funded a one-year, $90,000 research project entitled Biology, Distribution and Pest Status of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) in Agronomic, Fruit and Vegetable Crops, and Urban Areas.  The Principal Investigators are G. C. Hamilton, K. Hoelmer, T. Lesky, M. Brown, A. Herbert, G. P. Dively, and B. Parker.  The objectives for this project include: 1. Investigate the biology of BMSB on and the susceptibility of potential agronomic host plants (includes vegetables and fruits); 2. Determine the current/projected distribution and pest status of BMSB on agronomic, fruit and vegetable hosts; 3. Management strategies for BMSB.

Additional NIFA supported projects that devote a component to the brown marmorated stink bug:

ACCESSION NO: 0215347 SUBFILE: CRIS
PROJ NO: LAB93924 AGENCY: NIFA LA.B
PROJ TYPE: HATCH PROJ STATUS: NEW
START: 01 JUL 2008 TERM: 30 JUN 2013 FY: 2009

INVESTIGATOR: Davis, J. A.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
ENTOMOLOGY
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70893

BIOLOGY, DISTRIBUTION, AND MANAGEMENT OF SOYBEAN INSECT PESTS

Monitor for new invasive soybean pests (soybean aphid and brown marmorated stink bug) as well as infrequent soybean pests; corn earworm, beet armyworm, fall armyworm, and cotton aphid.

ACCESSION NO: 0213926 SUBFILE: CRIS
PROJ NO: MIN-17-028 AGENCY: NIFA MIN
PROJ TYPE: HATCH PROJ STATUS: NEW MULTISTATE PROJ NO: S-1039
START: 01 MAR 2008 TERM: 30 SEP 2012 FY: 2009

INVESTIGATOR: Ragsdale, D. W.; Hutchison, W. D.; MacRae, I. V.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
ENTOMOLOGY
UNIV OF MINNESOTA
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA 55108

BIOLOGY, IMPACT, AND MANAGEMENT OF SOYBEAN INSECT PESTS IN SOYBEAN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Soybean is the largest oilseed crop grown in North America. More than 75 million acres are planted each year. Historically, the most severe insect problems have occurred in the southern US where native and exotic species of subtropical origin pose major production constraints. For the 65 million acres of soybean produced in the North Central States, soybean insect pests have been minor until 2000 when soybean aphid was discovered to be established in 10 Midwestern states. These aphids have not been reported prior to 2000 and since then have spread to 22 states and 3 Canadian Provinces and have cause more than $1 billion in crop losses and additional management costs. Work undertaken in this multistate project will focus on a wide range of pests from newly established exotic pests like soybean aphid and brown marmorated stink bug to native insects whose range and damage has recently expanded. The overarching goal of the project is to develop management tactics that are effective and provide long term solutions to pest problems without increasing the use of insecticide in a crop where traditionally insecticides and miticides use was extremely rare.

ACCESSION NO: 0205274 SUBFILE: CRIS
PROJ NO: NYC-139404 AGENCY: NIFA NY.C
PROJ TYPE: HATCH PROJ STATUS: TERMINATED
START: 01 OCT 2005 TERM: 30 SEP 2008 FY: 2008

INVESTIGATOR: Hoebeke, E. R.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
ENTOMOLOGY
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
ITHACA, NEW YORK 14853

EXOTIC INSECT PEST SURVEILLANCE IN THE NORTHEAST AND PACIFIC NORTHWEST: SAFEGUARDING AMERICAN PLANT RESOURCES FROM ALIEN SPECIES

ACCESSION NO: 0213551 SUBFILE: CRIS
PROJ NO: VA-136222 AGENCY: NIFA VA.
PROJ TYPE: HATCH PROJ STATUS: NEW MULTISTATE PROJ NO: S-1039
START: 01 MAR 2008 TERM: 30 SEP 2012 FY: 2009

INVESTIGATOR: Herbert, D. A.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
TIDEWATER AGRI RES AND EXT CTR
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA 24061

BIOLOGY, IMPACT, AND MANAGEMENT OF SOYBEAN INSECT PESTS IN SOYBEAN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Soybean is a key crop in the U.S. which supplies 35% of the world's production. In 2006, more acres of soybean were harvested in the U.S. (74.6 million) than acres of any other crop, including corn (70.6 million). Soybean is produced in 31 states and 3 provinces in the eastern, central, and southern U.S and Canada, from Quebec to Florida, and Delaware to Nebraska. Given this large acreage and wide distribution, it is not surprising that soybean continues to suffer from insect pests that impact plant growth, grain quality, and yield. The populations of soil pests such as slugs, grubs, and millipedes, and foliar and pod feeders such as bean leaf beetle and stink bugs, are increasing in many regions. The distribution of other insects, such as Dectes stem borer and pyrethroid-resistant Lepidoptera (such as corn earworm), appears to be growing. Producers are encountering insect problems that they have never seen or managed like the newly discovered brown marmorated stink bug.

ACCESSION NO: 0222775 SUBFILE: CRIS
PROJ NO: VAN-545852 AGENCY: NIFA VA.N
PROJ TYPE: 3D GRANT PROJ STATUS: NEW
CONTRACT/GRANT/AGREEMENT NO: 2010-41534-21339 PROPOSAL NO: 2010-01555
START: 01 AUG 2010 TERM: 31 JUL 2011 GRANT YR: 2010
GRANT AMT: $209,253

INVESTIGATOR: Herbert, D. A.; Bush, E.; Youngman, R.; Pfeifffer, D.; Nita, M.; Derr, J.; Weaver, M.; Miller, D.; Askew, S.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
Tidewater Agri Research & Extension Ctr
VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, VA POLYTECH INST.
BLACKBURG, VIRGINIA 24061

VIRGINIA IPM PROGRAM

OBJECTIVES: IPM IN AGRONOMIC CROPS: To conduct a state-wide survey of soybean fields for presence and severity of soybean aphid and brown marmorated stink bug posting weekly advisories and evaluating grower response; to intensely scout for the presence of Palmer amaranth in cotton and to evaluate the effects of above- and below-ground components of different crop residues for aiding in management; to evaluate and adapt a degree-day program to predict the most effective timing for managing the hunting billbug in orchardgrass; to evaluate a fall soil sampling method for detecting white grub in field corn.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)

Photographs: Gary Bernon, USDA-APHIS; Deepak Matadha, Rutgers University; and Karen Bernhard, Pennsylvania State University.  http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/bean/brown_marmorated_stink_bug.htm

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[1] The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) - Halyomorpha halys and the Bean Plataspid, Kudzu Bug, Globular Stink Bug or Lablab Bug - Megacopta cribraria

[2] USDA Office of Pest Management Policy     [accessed March 18, 2012]                             October 13, 2010                                                                                                                                                                                             http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDgQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdirectives.nrcs.usda.gov%2FOpenNonWebContent.aspx%3Fcontent%3D28776.wba&ei=jtNlT-bDHaLk0QGUutDACA&usg=AFQjCNHKx2Bz2KItVggJGvx6f9iNV2NCQw&sig2=mjUq2bAGkYZckfh3RWZb6A