Invasion of the stink bugs: Pest thrives in British Columbia’s warm October
Global News
The brown marmorated stink bug, an invasive species in Canada, is thriving in the province this season thanks to summer-like weather extending into the fall months, experts say.
An aromatic insect shaped like a shield is lurking around homes and feasting on stone fruits in parts of southern British Columbia.
The brown marmorated stink bug, an invasive species in Canada, is thriving in the province this season thanks to summer-like weather extending into the fall months, experts say.
“We’ve had a particularly warm, dry fall, which are perfect conditions for this stink bug,” said Gail Wallin, executive director of the Invasive Species Council of B.C.
Although population counts aren’t readily available, the unwelcome intruder is earning notice across the Fraser Valley, Metro Vancouver and parts of the Okanagan, particularly Kelowna.
“We don’t have the science on that yet, but what we do know is we’re getting way more reports this year,” Wallin said, adding that could also be because people are spending more time outside and paying attention.
The Asian insect was first detected in British Columbia in 2015, five years after making its Canadian debut in Hamilton. It has also been spotted in Quebec, Alberta and P.E.I., according to the Invasive Species Centre.
The B.C. government describes it online as a “very serious pest” that feeds on more than 100 plant species. In 2010, it caused an estimated loss of $37 million to the apple industry in the mid-Atlantic United States, the province said. The presence of just a few adults at crush can taint wine, creating contamination issues for grapes, it said.
“The stink bug is an excellent hitchhiker and can be moved in shipping containers, wood, packing material, cargo and vehicles. It is also a nuisance to homeowners as the adults aggregate on and in buildings while seeking warm overwintering sites,” the B.C. government said.
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