Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Update (BMSB): Eggs And Nymphs Found On Bartlett Pears

Adult BMSB on apple, May 31st.
Adult BMSB on apple, May 31st.
We’ve been trapping and capturing BMSB since the 15th of May with over 30 adults captured in Highland (Scouting Report). In each of four additional trapping locations in Warwick (Southern-Orange County), Campbell Hall (N.Central-Orange County), Milton (Mid-Ulster County.), Marlboro (Southern-Ulster County.) and Tivoli (mid-Dutchess County) with trap captures in all sites (trap data below). We have yet to capture nymphs in our traps, but their presence in pome fruit tells us they are establishing in orchards with the potential to damage crops.

BMSB Eggs on pear leaf; 11 June, 2014
BMSB Eggs on pear leaf; 11 June, 2014
BMSB Trap Data 6:2

Over the past five years we have seen BMSB adults, egg laying with nymph hatch during the early part of the season. Early but limited movement of BMSB into crops has occurred prior to early August, at the onset of 2nd generation in lower to mid-Hudson Valley orchards, BUT the majority of these sites with early season BMSB presence has not resulted in economic injury. However, in a few sites, predoinately in Highland, Milton and Marlboro, BMSB has caused damage to stone fruit, especially peaches. Early injury to peaches can be seen in these images from USDA/Leskey Lab.

BMSB.Peach.Dam.USDA-ARS.Leskey

This event should signal intensified scouting efforts for BMSB this week, especially in sites where BMSB has caused problems over the past three years. The mid-Atlantic States have found stone fruit to be more vulnerable then pome fruit early in the season. If BMSB populations are found laying eggs with nymphs present in peach, nectarine, plum and cherry, the insect will become an economic threat to fruit. Effective insecticides for use on pome fruit are listed in the Cornell Guidelines. Efficacy ratings for use on Pome Fruit can be found here.

Bifenthrin, the most effective pyrethroid against the BMSB, is only labeled for use in pears. It was granted use on apple in 2013 as a section 18 in Dutchess, Orange and Ulster Counties. We have not yet heard from DEC regarding this years section 18 use of Bifenthrin in NY.

Endigo, the pre-mix of Lamda-cyhalothrin (A.I. in Warrior) and Thiomethoxam (A.I. in Actara), having high ratings for BMSB management. Labeled for use in peaches and nectarines at 5.5 fl.oz./A, it has a 35 day PHI in pome and 14d PHI in stone fruit. Special NY restrictions limit the use of Thiomethoxam to 0.172 lb. a.i./A. ((19.0 fl.oz./A of Endigo).

Lannate has excellent contact activity against teh insect with relatively poor residual. Lannate 2.4LV labeled on stone fruit at 2.25 pt./A 96 hour REI and 14d PHI.

Actara (Thiomethoxam), Danitol (Fenpropathrin), Leverage 360 (pre-mix – Cyfluthrin/Imidacloprid) and Voliam Xpress (chlorantraniliprole (A.I. in Altacor) and Thiomethoxam) are good choices if Bifenthrin, Endigo or Lannate are not applied.

Pennings peach with BMSB feeding

BMSB on peach

BMSB dam.Peach.HVL.2013

About Peter J Jentsch

Peter J. Jentsch serves the mid-Hudson Valley pome fruit, grape and vegetable growers as the Senior Extension Associate in the Department of Entomology for Cornell University’s Hudson Valley Laboratory located in Highland, NY. He provides regional farmers with information on insect related research conducted on the laboratory’s 20-acre research farm for use in commercial and organic fruit and vegetable production. Peter is a graduate of the University of Nebraska with a Masters degree in Entomology. He is presently focusing on invasive insect species, monitoring in the urban environment and commercial agricultural production systems throughout the state
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.