2018 Stink bug monitoring project in Ohio

OSU Extension, Clermont County is participating in this statewide research project.

Project objective: Determine the current distribution and relative
abundance of the brown marmorated stink bug on farm sites around
Ohio.

Background: the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an invasive
species that is native to Asia. It was first detected in the USA in
Pennsylvania in 2001. From there, it has spread throughout the mid-
Atlantic region where it has caused significant crop injury. It is also a
nuisance pest when it invades homes and buildings in the autumn in its search for a protected place to overwinter. It is now found in 43 States in the USA, and it has also become a pest in several European countries.

Status of BMSB in Ohio: The first detection of BMSB in Ohio was in 2007 in Columbus. Within the next few years, infestations were reported
from Youngstown and Cincinnati. As of the end of 2017, we have confirmed reports of its presence in 50 of Ohio’s 88 counties, although the
infestations in many of these counties are still quite light, without significant damage to crops.


Crop damage: BMSB causes injury by sucking sap from fruits and stems. Host plants include peaches, apples, bell peppers, eggplant, swiss chard, sweet corn, field corn, soybeans, and a variety of other vegetable and fruit crops. It also feeds on landscape trees such as catalpa, redbud, tree of
heaven, Japanese tree lilac, Japanese pagoda tree, and maples.

Monitoring by traps: To detect the presence of BMSB, we have had some traps deployed at sites around Ohio every year since 2011, but the trap type has changed from year to year. In 2011-2013, the lure that was available was not very effective, especially in early summer. In 2014, an improved
lure became available, then in 2015 a greatly improved lure became available. The trap in which the lure is placed has also changed several times, but is now a clear sticky panel attached to a wood post.

Nation-wide monitoring program: Ohio is one of 15 States that is involved in a USDA-funded research and extension project focused on better understanding and managing this new stink bug on specialty crops, starting in 2017. Part of this project is devoted to monitoring stink bug
populations by a standardized type of trap, at many sites representing various ecoregions across the USA.

Plans for Ohio, 2018: We have had traps deployed at 15-25 sites around Ohio for each of the past few years but have had geographic gaps in coverage. In 2018, we contacted Extension Educators in counties where we had not yet deployed traps, to determine whether they would be willing to set up and check traps in 2018. We are pleased that 23 new cooperators have agreed to join this trapping project. The cooperators will check traps and post the number of stink bugs caught every one or two weeks on a website that is available to view by anyone with the link.

For questions, contact Gigi Neal, OSU Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources for Clermont County at 513-732-7070 or neal.331@osu.edu.

One thought on “2018 Stink bug monitoring project in Ohio

  1. In the article, 2018 Stink bug monitoring project in Ohio, May 22, 2018, it states a website that monitors populations of the Stink Bug would be available to view. Is that website active, and if so, can you please provide a link to it?

    Thank you,
    Jim

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