On Monday we gave you a lengthy update regarding the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and the measures that were being taken to ensure that these bugs were not entering into our country.
The emergency measures that were immediately put into place by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources came after the detection of this exotic pest at a warehouse in western Sydney. The warehouse had unpacked a container that had arrived from Italy and staff had sighted this pest.
Looking for a brown marmorated stink bug?
- Brown marmorated stink bugs can be detected by visually inspecting host plants. They are large bugs that can give off an unpleasant odour when disturbed.
- Adult Brown marmorated stink bugs are approximately 12 to 17 mm long and 7 to 10 mm wide – similar in size to a five cent piece.
- Brown marmorated stink bugs are variable in colour, but generally have a mottled brown coloured body with alternating light and dark bands on the antennae, legs and the side margins of the abdomen.
- Brown marmorated stink bug feeds on a wide range of fruiting plants including ornamentals and vegetables. Preferred plants include apples, peaches, raspberries, sweet corn, green beans, capsicums and tomatoes.
The Department of Primary Industry in New South Wales has released this informative video:
