Halyomorpha halys, better known as the stink bug, was accidentally introduced into the United States in 1998. Being known as an invasive species in recent years, this bug has infested homes from the Midwest and East Coast, causing significant damage as an agricultural pest.
Surveys in Oregon also report presence of the stink bug and researchers at Oregon State University warn of an increased risk of damage to late-ripening crops this year after discovering record levels of the pest.
Harvest for many crops, including blueberries, raspberries, apples, pears, hazelnuts, grapes, sweet corn, peppers, and edible beans is looming and the fact that the pest has shown an appetite for more than 100 different crops is not good news for these plants.
Late-season feeding and contamination by adult stink bugs and nymphs can result in discoloration of fruit, vegetables and nuts — ultimately sullying the crops' value at the marketplace. While no economic damage from the pest has been documented thus far in Oregon, OSU researchers worry that could change after this summer.
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