Brown marmorated stink bug

Halyomorpha halys

1. Identification

• Common name: Brown marmorated stink bug
• Scientific name: Halyomorpha halys Stål
• Order: Hemiptera
• Family: Pentatomidae

2. Pest description

• Adults 12–17 mm, brown marmorated colouring.
• Shield-shaped body, typical of the Pentatomidae.
• Antennae with alternating light and dark bands.
• Eggs laid in masses, of a greenish colour, on the underside of the leaves.
• Nymphs with variable colouring, changing from dark tones to marmorated patterns.

3. Main hosts

• Pome fruit: apple tree, pear tree.
• Stone fruit: peach tree, cherry tree, plum tree.
• Vegetables: tomato, pepper, bean.
• Extensive crops: maize, soybean.
• Great polyphagy, attacking more than 100 plant species.

4. Symptoms and damage

• Bites on the fruits, causing deformations and whitish spots.
• Internal necrosis (“corking”) that depreciates the commercial value.
• Premature fruit drop.
• Severe damage in orchards and vegetable crops, especially in summer.
• Adults may invade buildings in autumn for hibernation.

5. Biological cycle

• Two generations per year in temperate climates; more in warm regions.
• Adults hibernate in natural shelters or human structures.
• Oviposition in spring, with active nymphs during the summer.
• Nymphal development in 5 instars.
• High mobility and dispersal capacity.

6. Monitoring

• Traps with specific pheromones for detection and population follow-up.
• Direct observation of adults, nymphs and egg masses.
• Intensive monitoring in orchards and sensitive crops in summer.
• Recording of typical damage on the fruits.
• Assessment of favourable conditions (high temperatures and high food availability).

7. Management measures

• Cultural: removal of spontaneous hosts, elimination of potential shelters and management of the vegetation surrounding the orchards.
• Biological: promotion of natural parasitoids, such as Trissolcus japonicus, when present, and use of authorised biological agents.
• Integrated protection: monitoring with pheromones, careful application of authorised insecticides, integration with cultural measures and use of anti-insect nets in high-value crops.

Bibliographic references

• EPPO Global Database – Halyomorpha halys.
• CABI Invasive Species Compendium – H. halys.
• Leskey, T. C. et al. (2012). Biology and management of the brown marmorated stink bug.
• Haye, T. et al. (2015). Invasion biology of Halyomorpha halys.