Vegetables
Integrated Pest Management for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in Vegetables
This guidance document, authored by the BMSB SCRI CAP Vegetable Commodity Team, provides a synopsis of what researchers have learned so far and management recommendations using an integrated approach. Available in English and Spanish.
Topics Include
- Basic Biology and Life Cycle of BMSB
- Vegetable Crops at Risk / Crops Not at Risk
- Vegetable Injury Diagnostics
- Period of Risk/Susceptibility
- Provisional Monitoring Recommendations
- Biological Control
- Provisional Management Strategies
- Effective Insecticides for Controlling BMSB on Vegetables
- Potential Problems Arising from Multiple Applications of Pyrethroid Insecticides
Integrated Pest Management for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug in Vegetables
El Chinche Apestozo Marrón Marmolado en Vegetales
Extent of BMSB Problem in Vegetables
BMSB feeds on a wide range of vegetables, including eggplant, lima beans, okra, pepper, snap beans, sweet corn, and tomatoes. Sweet corn appears to be a strongly preferred host crop. Okra may be an indicator for potential feeding damage to another important related crop, cotton. BMSB may carry plant pathogens that can damage vegetables. Also, BMSB may move from one host type to another. Researchers have found very little injury in cruciferous and cucurbit vegetables.
Research Goals
Researchers are studying what causes BMSB to switch hosts in landscapes with high infestations. They are studying the cumulative fruit damage over the crop cycle. Researchers are exploring whether traps may be used as monitoring tools in sweet corn and lima beans.
- Our team is monitoring over 7,000 acres of sweet corn fields and mapping effects.
- Our team has monitored BMSB on sweet corn, okra, peppers, tomatoes, snap beans, and eggplant in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia.
Updates and Findings
- Vegetables may be at risk if isolated and not near a more attractive host for BMSB.
- BMSB preferred okra early in the growing season, but sweet corn was more generally preferred throughout the season.
More Resources
In the mid-Atlantic, vegetable crops are attacked by several different stink bug species. The primary pest species include the brown marmorated stink bug, brown stink bug, green stink bug, and harlequin bug. Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension, November 2015.
April 16, 2014 Chemical Control Guidelines for BMSB in Sweet Corn
These recommendations for the mid-Atlantic are based on demonstrated efficacy in research trials. Source: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Working Group, April 2014.
November 11, 2013 Performance of Insecticides on Brown Marmorated Stink Bug on Vegetables
This quick reference sheet lists evaluation results for several insecticides. Source: Virginia Cooperative Extension.
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.
June 29, 2012 Webinar: Pest Threat of the Invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug to Tomatoes
A brief summary of the biology and ecology of the insect, as well as information on its management in tomatoes and other vegetables. Source: Dr. Tom Kuhar via Plant Management Network, June 2012.