Summary and recommendations: Drying seed pods of deciduous trees and broad leaf weed species combined with reduced day length are prompting both native and invasive stink bug begin intensive feeding on tree fruit as they begin moving toward overwintering sites.
We are finding very high numbers of brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) in pheromone traps this week, with over 100 observed over 7-days at the HVRL in Highland on Tedder traps.
Secondly, we have been finding green stink bug (GSB), Chinavia halaris (Say) on fruit along orchards bordered by woodlands and irrigation ponds, with feeding injury exceeding 1%. We have also seen the first movement to buildings by adult BMSB.
The importance of scouting and considerations for stink bug management occurring this week cannot be overstated in Mid-Hudson Valley orchards.
• Management Thresholds: In orchard blocks where native green stink bug and brown marnorated stink bug have exceeded trap threshold, or where 1 SB is observed on border trees along 100′ of row, or darkened depressions with feeding punctures in the center of the feeding site is observed, management should begin. Apply efficacious insecticide (Chart Below) against green and brown marmorated stink bug to reduce the risk of stink bug injury. As nymphs mature to adults, populations increase by the day.
Management Decision Making: Base selection of insecticides on PHI and efficacy, not price. Reduced rates, even of the best materials, will allow for more injury. The best materials in the pyrethroid class (Danitol for GSB and Bifentrin for BMSB) have 14d PHI’s. Planning and preparation is critical during development of varieties and harvest intervals. Closer SC, although it has no efficacy against the adult SB, will buy you at least 3 days of feeding inhibition.
• Stink Bug Migration: As these insects are very mobile, moving in and out of the orchard during the pre-overwintering phase, considerations for alternate row middle on tight schedules and perimeter applications to reduce migration should be made.
• Maintain coverage Fuji, Ruby Frost, Mutsu (Crispin), Red & Golden Delicious, Pink Lady are preferred varieties by SB species and should be protected throughout harvest.
• Variety Funnel: Fewer fruit are available for stink bug to move to during the harvest window into October. The last fruit in the orchard during years of high BMSB populations often are affected the most. In 2012, Pink Lady suffered over 20% injury as they were about to be harvested. Rome are not noticeably affected.
The Brown marmorated stink bug has been observed throughout the central and southern counties of NYS with very few found north of the Albany area (NYS BMSB Populations). Over the past three weeks, both adult and young nymph BMSB have been found in pheromone baited traps. We are also seeing newly emerging nymphs hatching from eggs in native grape found in Ulster County as of Friday, September 9th, indicating a 2nd generation and increasing BMSB populations as we move through harvest.
