Q: Family members told me about a new stink bug which has been found in Virginia. She said it has been found indoors in huge numbers. Do we need to be worried?

A: The insect is most likely the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), Halyomorpha halys Stål. It is a pest first officially reported from the western hemisphere in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 2001. There is some concern about this stink bug becoming a major agricultural pest in North America, similar to the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.). Both the brown marmorated and green stink bug are pests of numerous crops. At this point, the brown marmorated stink bug has been primarily reported as a household nuisance and ornamental pest. This stink bug is native of eastern Asia it is a pest on fruit trees and soybeans. Our concern would be if this insect takes an interest in our agronomic crops or some of our landscape ornamental plants. If you think you may have problems with any insect, please place a few in a plastic bag and bring them to me so we can indentify then for you. Whenever possible, please put then in the freezer for a few hours so they can be destroyed properly. We don’t believe they are in our area yet, so if you suspect you may have them, please let us know. Attached is a publication on this insect which may help you become better informed: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in623

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