MANAGEMENT OF THE BROWN MARMORATED STINK BUG

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) is an invasive insect native to Asia that has emerged as pest of unprecedented importance to specialty crops in the United States. Currently, BMSB is well established throughout the mid-Atlantic region including NJ. BMSB is a polyphagous pest. In 2010, BMSB populations increased dramatically and attacked many high-value specialty crops in the mid-Atlantic region. Thus, the risk to NJ specialty crops is considered high. However, there is no current established detection method, treatment threshold, or control strategy for BMSB in these crops. Therefore, we propose to: (1) establish biology and phenology of BMSB in various specialty crops in NJ; (2) develop monitoring and management tools for BMSB; (3) establish effective management programs for BMSB in variosu specialty crops; and (4) integrate stakeholder input and research findings to form and deliver practical outcomes.