Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), a new invasive pest

that originated in Asia, is moving into California gardens and landscapes. This stink bug has devastated fruit and vegetable crops in the eastern U.S. and is beginning to establish itself on the West Coast. BMSB built up significant overwintering populations in landscapes in the City of Sacramento last fall and has been found sporadically in many other areas of the state from San Diego northward. It could become a pest in gardens in some parts of the state as soon as this year. A new UC IPM Pest Note: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug written by Chuck Ingels, UCCE Sacramento, and Lucia Varela, UC Statewide IPM Program North Coast, explains how to identify and manage this pest should it arrive in your garden or in your home. The Pest Note features photos of all stages of BMSB as well as other stink bugs it can be confused with. BMSB not only damages plants, it can also invade homes in fall and winter and become a nuisance pest.