Nicola Robertson, biosecurity manager at NZAPI recently went to Italy on behalf of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Council. She was there to experience first-hand the effects of the BMSB invasion on horticulture crops in Northern Italy and report back to the Council.
BMSB first arrived in Italy in 2012. Since then, growers in the country have developed a huge understanding of its biology, control methods through field trials. Their experience is extremely important in helping to inform New Zealand’s preparedness for a BMSB incursion.
Some of the crops Nicola visited included wine grapes, kiwifruit, pears, apples, peaches and nectarines. Most affected were pears, peaches and nectarines with losses up to 100 percent. Apples and kiwifruit were also affected but to a lesser extent. Although peaches and pears are key horticulture hosts, if these are not available BMSB will feed on whatever crop or vegetables are present in the area. For that reason, it is very important to consider the landscape around the orchard and the potential hosts present in the surroundings before applying any control methods. If there are breeding areas nearby (especially unmanaged), then damage is increased as the nymphs and adults move into the orchard to feed. Unmanaged overwintering sites lead to an increased population for next season. Experience in Italy has demonstrated that an IPM approach is required to effectively deal with this pest. Relying on agrichemicals only has not provided effective control and, in many cases, re-infestation has occurred in a matter of days. Exclusion netting and traps using aggregation pheromones to capture BMSB adults and nymphs are being successfully implemented in Italy.
Nicola also met with Max Suckling (PFR) who has spent several months in Italy working with BMSB in the Northern region. Max’s experience is going to be key when we have a response here in New Zealand.
Affected nectarines go hard at the insect feeding site and are unable to be eaten or processed.
Although BMSB is not yet present in New Zealand, it is important to keep an eye out and look for the damage as well as the insects. Going from what has happened in other countries, chances are that you will see BMSB damage way before finding any adults or nymphs. When doing your regular pest monitoring, make sure you can identify all fruit damage caused by common pests and investigate further any suspicious marking on the fruit that look unusual to you. See damage on nectarines below.
