The invasive stink bug that can cost farmers millions in a single season
In short: A tiny, shield-shaped insect with a pungent, cilantro-like odor has become a global agricultural nightmare. Introduced to the United States in the mid-1990s, the brown marmorated stink bug now causes massive economic damage to high-value crops while seeking shelter inside human homes during the winter.
Originating from Asia, the Halyomorpha halys is a non-native stink bug. Since its introduction, it has spread across 38 states and the District of Columbia, with the highest concentrations found in the mid-Atlantic region. In 2010 alone, the bug caused an estimated $37 million in losses to apple crops in the mid-Atlantic, with some stone fruit growers losing over 90% of their harvest.
The bug is a versatile and aggressive feeder, capable of attacking more than 100 plant species. It targets high-value crops including apples, peaches, grapes, tomatoes, and soybeans. Its feeding mechanism involves piercing fruit and sucking out juices, which results in pitting, scarring, and a mealy texture that makes fresh produce unmarketable. In field crops like corn and soybeans, the bugs often infest the edges of fields—a phenomenon known as the "edge effect"—and can cause a "stay green" effect in soybeans, where injured plants remain green longer than healthy ones.
Beyond agriculture, the bug is a significant public nuisance. In early autumn, adults seek overwintering sites inside buildings, where they can congregate by the thousands in attics, bookcases, or under furniture. While they do not bite, bite, or cause structural damage, they release a pungent odor—resembling coriander or cilantro—from scent glands on their abdomen when disturbed. They also produce an aggregation pheromone that draws large numbers of adults into buildings. Because there are currently few effective pesticides labeled for their control, management remains a significant challenge for both farmers and homeowners.
The insect's biology allows for rapid expansion. In warmer climates, females can lay up to five generations of eggs per year, whereas cooler regions see only one or two. While they are not yet proven to be established in the UK, a 2022 report of a female laying unviable eggs in South East England suggests they may eventually colonize the region as summers warm.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug | US EPA
- Also: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Identification Guide | RHS Advice
- Also: Brown marmorated stink bug
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