Natural Enemies and Their Impact on BMSB

Biological control is likely the best hope for long-term sustainable BMSB management on organic farms. This objective will initially identify key natural enemies and parasitism and predation rates of both BMSB and endemic stink bugs on organic farms throughout the study region.

Here is a camera system set up to monitor BMSB egg masses for 3 days to observe any predators or parasitoids feeding on or parasitizing the eggs (Bridgeton, NJ).

A Trissolcus spp. parasitoid wasp investigating a hatched BMSB egg mass with 1st instar stink bug nymphs on Hydrangea in Rappahannock Co., VA (photo by Taliaferro Trope).

This is actually not an albino BMSB, but is rather a BMSB nymph in the process of molting on a Mulberry tree in Rappahannock Co., VA. Although initially quite vulnerable and white and red in color, within a few minutes the exoskeleton will harden and darken giving the nymph it's typical black-brown and white coloration (photo by Taliaferro Trope).