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 With the arrival of cooler weather, brown marmorated stink bugs
(BMSB) congregate on house siding, windowsills, and garages, or
find their way into homes, becoming a nuisance for homeowners.
“This is the time of year when stink bugs are most active as
they look for cracks and crevices in buildings and other dry
places to overwinter,” Estes said. Reports of brown marmorated
stink bug activity have been steadily increasing across the
state this past week.
First found in northeast Illinois (Cook County) and in the East
St. Louis area in 2010, this year BMSB has been confirmed for
the first time in Macon, Winnebago, Clinton, Effingham, and
Stephenson Counties. Since BMSB is an invasive species, it has
few known natural enemies and populations can grow quickly.
Adult BMSB have the shield-shaped body of all stink bugs. This
species has a marmorated or mottled brown color and the antennae
have white bands. Alternating black and white bands border the
abdomen.
In the spring, the stink bugs emerge from their hiding places to
lay eggs on the underside of leaves. They feed on 150 to 200
host plants in gardens, orchards, and fields. Estes reported no
known economic losses thus far in agricultural crops in
Illinois, unlike the damage seen in the Mid-Atlantic states.
To keep stink bugs out of homes, make sure windows are sealed.
Estes does not recommend spraying insecticide. The best option
is to vacuum them up and throw them away; live stink bugs can
also be dropped into soapy water.
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Homeowners are the best source of information on the whereabouts
of BSMB. If you believe you have seen this species, Estes would be
interested in looking at a sample.
Stink bugs may be sent in a crush-proof container, such as a pill
bottle or check box, to Kelly Estes, 1816 S. Oak St., Champaign, IL
61820.
Photos can be sent to kcook8@illinois.edu.
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] About the
Prairie Research Institute: The Prairie Research Institute (PRI) at
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign comprises the
Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois State Archaeological
Survey, Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois State Water
Survey, and Illinois Sustainable Technology Center. PRI provides
objective natural and cultural resource expertise, data, research,
service, and solutions for decision making, the stewardship of
Illinois’ resources, and the public good.
www.prairie.illinois.edu
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