The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) (Halyomorpha halys) was first found in eastern North America in 2001 and in B.C. in 2015. It has been trapped at various locations throughout the Okanagan, with the largest populations occurring in downtown Kelowna.
To date, BMSB has not been collected from any vineyards in B.C.
Similar in size and shape to some of our native stink bugs, first instar nymphs are bright red marked with black, while adults are dark brown with white banding on the antennae and legs. Adults are a little more than 1.5 cm in length.
In areas where they have become established, they are often found feeding in close proximity to one another. Adults aggregate in large numbers in the fall to spend the winter in protected areas or invade houses.
Native to southeast Asia, the BMSB feeds on a wide range of vegetables, field crops, ornamental trees and shrubs, and fruit crops, including grapes. Damage results from feeding punctures and removal of fluids from the plant, resulting in shrunken, distorted buds, shoots and fruit. Fortunately, grapes are reportedly not a preferred host.
Damage mostly occurs in late summer and fall when adults are congregating and moving to sheltered locations prior to winter.
At high levels, contamination of fruit at harvest can lead to wine taint, due to the foul odor produced from the defensive glands of these insects.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Pest Alert, on the Government of B.C. website
