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The Brown Marmorated Stinkbug (BMSB), a native of Eastern Asia, entered Pennsylvania around 1996. Since that time it has continued to invade new areas of the United States and now has been found in 40 states, including California. Recently, infestations of BMSB have been discovered in both downtown Sacramento and Yuba City. We believe it is only a matter of time before an established population of BMSB is found in San Joaquin County.

Brown Marmorated Stinkbug feeds on a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants. Apple, cherry, grape, corn, cabbage, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash and tomato are just a few of the San Joaquin County crops that BMSB feeds on. Home gardeners and commercial growers alike are impacted as large numbers of this pest infect crops. With its piercing mouthparts, fruit and vegetables become scarred and unmarketable. In late fall when other agricultural pests are ceasing to become problems this one continues to wreak havoc. Homeowners and other residents are the next to be victimized. In a process known as aggregation, adult BMSB gather together in large numbers and search for shelter in houses and other structures where it overwinters.

While Brown Marmorated Stinkbug is a major nuisance in the Mid-Atlantic States, only time will tell how well it will thrive in the environment of California’s San Joaquin Valley. California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has given the Brown Marmorated Stinkbug a pest rating of ‘B’ which means essentially no action will be taken to eradicate BMSB when it is found here. There is ongoing research on how to control this pest in agricultural and residential settings. For more information, contact the Agricultural Commissioner's Office or UC Cooperative Extension Office here in Stockton.