The brown marmorated stink bug season is here. Over summer it is important to keep a look out for these pests (Haylomorpha halys), which are not present in New Zealand but are a real threat to a wide variety of plants and NZ’s horticulture industries.

There are, however, species of similar shaped insects that are already present in New Zealand, which you may find at home or at your facility.

A Transitional Facility Operator found a suspect shield beetle and sent it through to identify which species it was. In this instance, the bug was a brown soldier bug (Cermatulus nasalis), a native to NZ. This was encouraging to see that staff at Transitional Facilities are keeping a look out for the brown marmorated stink bug.

See above for photos of some of the species in New Zealand which you may see, compared to the brown marmorated stink bug.

If you would like to know more about BMSB, you can check out our free e-Learning course by registering at spsbiota.canopihr.com.au and clicking on ‘browse learning’.