The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Halyomorpha halys is an new species of stink bug invading peoples homes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This invasive new pest was first discovered near Allentown, Pa. in 1996 and is being studied by entomologists at Rutgers and Penn State. It can cause damage to fruiting plants on farms and home orchards. It may also be damaging to vegetable crops and ornamentals. Surveys are underway to monitor how widespread it will become.
The bugs are harmless but a nuisance to home owners because they congregate on warm surfaces and invade homes. Unlike most other stink bugs they give a pheromone(scent) that causes them to aggregate in large numbers. Unlike box elder bugs and Asiatic lady bugs that act similarly, when you crush or damage them they stink.
You may get other stink bugs in your home but nothing as persistent or aggressive at the Marmorated Stink Bug hiding in your walls and openings around your air conditioner.
At our Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station we are trying to track the invasiveness so request anyone seeing the bug to register on our web site at www.njaes.rutgers.edu./stinkbug/ This site contains some excellent information on identification and control measures.
Jerry Frecon
Agricultural Agent
