Drought Forecast: Stink bug on the rise.

Pheromone trap captures of the brown marmorated stink bug have been increasing throughout the Hudson Valley as far north as the Rensselaer region this year. We are using a provisional threshold of 10 adults per trap per week. thus far, none of our traps have had numbers above threshold.

Green stink bug feeding on sweet cherry has been observed in the field. Both of these insects are arborial insects, living and feeding primarily in deciduous trees. Drought conditions are providing conditions for the stink bug complex to move to irrigated tree fruit to obtain additional moisture for reproduction.

Stone fruit, especially peaches, are most vulnerable this time of year as fruit begin to size and overwintering stink bug are in need of nutritional resources. When scouting for these insects, use a conservative threshold of 1 adult SB per 100′ of border tree row to determine the need for applications. In the case in which only green stink bug is observed, a border or perimeter applications to the trees, applying from orchard edge towards the center of the block, may be all that is required to manage the insect. However, as the drought intensifies, greater vigilance and scouting will be required to determine the presence of these pests in tree fruit.

The pyrethroids Bifenthrin (Brigade WSB, Bifenthure labeled in Orange, Ulster and Dutchess Co.) Danitol 2.4EC, Endigo ZC, and Actara 25WDG. are effective against BMSB and GSB. (Efficacy chart).