This season we are experiencing a surprisingly low number and likely late start to the emergence, egg laying and nymph development of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) given the early maturity of fruit this year. Scouting for the insect in trees has shown very few BMSB nymphs in mid-late stages of development with adults at the onset of emergence. That said, we have not yet seen threshold numbers in commercial orchards in Tedders or sticky card traps.
The presence of eggs and early instar nymphs found over the next few weeks may indicate the development of a second generation of BMSB this season. If this occurs we will begin to see high numbers of BMSB moving into crops at which point orchard management for the pest should begin.
Insecticide tools with various degrees of efficacy for BMSB management.
One of the most effective tools for use to manage BMSB is the active ingredient bifenthrin in a number of formulations.
Bifenthrin has a 12 hr. re-entry interval, 14 day pre-harvest interval and a 30 day re-application interval.
We received notice by the EPA that they approved the Section 18 application for bifenthrin for use against the brown marmorated stink bug for 2020. Links below provide access to PDF copies of the Section 18 labels for materials containing the A.I. bifenthrin.
Labels should be made available to the applicator during bifenthrin applications. These can be printed or available as digital files such as PDF’s on tablets or smart phones. Approved a for for use in apple, peach and nectarines in 2020, the exemption is valid now through October 15th as a “Section 18 EXEMPTION, FOR DISTRIBUTION AND USE ONLY IN Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Monroe, Orleans, Wayne and Niagara Counties this year. Use in any other counties is prohibited. in New York State”.
Bifenture 10DF Insecticide/Miticide (EPA Reg. No. 70506‐227)
