Be On The Lookout for Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs

UK Extension Entomologist Doug Johnson is telling County Ag Agents that recent reports indicate an increase in Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) activity in central Kentucky.   Although the majority of the reports are coming from central and eastern Kentucky, BMSB have been reported in Daviess and Henderson County.  This invasive bug has been in Kentucky for about five years, but as yet has not become of economic importance in grain crops. However, this is likely to change at some time and it is best not to get caught off guard. 

BMSB is mainly a threat because of its ability to develop very large populations. Bug to bug it is not a great deal more important than other brown or green stink bugs, but its’ populations tend to be much larger. Like other stink bugs BMSB begin moving into soybeans as they start to bloom and populations grow to their largest numbers as pods are forming and filling. It is their feeding on pods that creates such a problem and can have an effect on yields. 

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs tend to be highly congregated on the field margins. Though some will be found in the interior of a field, most of them will be in the outer rows. In many states, edge applications have been found to be sufficient to control this pest.  BMSBs look similar to other brown stink bugs in shape and color, though they tend to be a bit larger. The most diagnostic characters for identification are the two (small but distinct) white strips on each antenna near the tip end. Also, along the rear sides are a series of black and white bands.

These insects can be controlled reasonably well with synthetic pyrethyroid insecticides. In particularly difficult situations, mixtures of pyrethroids + neonics or pyrethroids + acephate may provide a little better control.  For more information on Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs and insecticides to control BMSB, contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Office at (270)273-3690.  Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

I want to mention that this coming Tuesday, August 5^th I am having a Land Management Program at the office from 9am-2:30pm.  This program will feature topics such as Soil Health, Use of Cover Crops, Residue Management, Grass Waterways, Prevention of Ditch and Riverbank Erosion, No Till Practices, Implementation of Conservation Practices, and the Economic Value of These Practices.  We will be spending the morning at the McLean County Extension Office listening to various speakers on these important topics.  Then after lunch we will hear from a panel of experts, including a McLean County Producer, then depart from the office for a site visit where we will experience some hands-on, in the field learning.  We will wrap up the day’s program about 2:30.  This is a joint effort between the McLean County Cooperative Extension Office, UK Extension Specialist, NRCS and the McLean County Conservation District.  If you are interested in attending, please contact the Extension Office by 4:30pm this Friday at (270)273-3690 so that we can plan accordingly.  Coffee and doughnuts will be provided by the McLean County Soil Conservation District and lunch is sponsored by Frist Security Bank.

Last, but certainly not least, I would like to say thank you to everyone that attended the McLean County Ag Festival last weekend!  Words cannot express my gratitude for everyone’s support of this event.  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many people having a great time together at our park, while celebrating agriculture.  I am so blessed to be living in McLean County and be your County Ag Agent.  I get the opportunity to work with so many extraordinary people, including our farmers and the members of the Ag Festival Committee.  Thank you to all of the Ag Festival Committee Members and to all of our sponsors that had a hand in making this event a reality.   I look forward to doing it again next year!