Background
If you see this bug, catch it, and call us.
The brown marmorated stink bug has spread to the United States and Europe from Asia. It's not established in New Zealand but it's a sneaky pest that we've caught at the border many times, hitchhiking on passengers and in imported goods.
So far we've managed to stop it settling here.
They’re hard to see, hard to kill and they breed fast.
Risk to New Zealand
These bugs could be a damaging economic pest and a significant household nuisance.
Crops and gardens could be devastated
Known to feed heavily on a wide variety of plant species, stink bugs would attack grapes, kiwifruit, apples, citrus and stone fruit, corn and many other valuable crops.
Homes could be infested
Over winter, bugs gather in large numbers in homes, where they're an unsightly and smelly nuisance. They cannot be easily treated with insecticides and they emit a pungent odour when squashed, making them hard to remove.
Where in New Zealand?
Able to thrive in cool climates, brown marmorated stink bugs are a threat up and down the country.
What's being done?
MPI has developed new import regulations to provide extra protection against this bug.
- Vehicles and machinery from the USA must now be heat-treated or fumigated with methyl bromide before coming to New Zealand
- New import standards are being developed for all vehicles, machinery and tyres from all countries
Ready to respond
Brown marmorated stink bugs spread fast, so we'll need to act quickly to get rid of them if they arrive. That can only happen if we spot an invasion as soon as possible. MPI is encouraging all New Zealanders to be on the lookout.
- City horticulturists
horticulturalistsand gardeners have been asked to keep watch because bugs that come through airports or seaports would attack their crops first. - Travellers are reminded to check their luggage on return to New Zealand to make sure they haven't brought the bug with them.
- People importing goods from overseas – including internet shoppers – are also encouraged to check their packages.
MPI is running advertisements and distributing leaflets with pictures of the bug to help home gardeners and the wider public identify it, and urging them to call our pest hotline if they see anything like it.
What you can do
Keep watch for these bugs. If you think you’ve found one – catch it and call us immediately on 0800 80 99 66.