Stink Bugs

Stink bugs… well, stink. The stink is a predator avoidance mechanism. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison talks about the different kinds of stink bugs. Stink bugs are a major agricultural pest on vegetables, fruit, or other desirable plants. They have piercing sucking mouth-parts, and unlike damage from leaf chewing insects, their damage is not immediately apparent. If they feed on a small thing like a pea it will destroy the pea. If they feed on larger things like fruit or nuts, it will leave a blemish. Stink bugs undergo gradual metamorphosis: egg, nymph, adult.

There are several kinds of stink bug in the south-eastern United States: green stink bug, brown stink bug, and brown marmorated stink bug. Adults are strong fliers and can fly into your yard and garden. They overwinter as adults and there are several generations per year. The female lays a cluster of 20-50 barrel-shaped eggs. Most stink bugs are susceptible to the synthetic pyrethroids (except the brown stink bugs, which are susceptible to Acephate). Mike lists insecticides for use on stink bugs that are approved for application to some common vegetables. The complete list of vegetable stink bug control is available in the UT Redbook. Unfortunately, there is no highly effective organic control for stinkbugs.

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