Stink Bugs and Plant Materials
Seed Production
Bob Hammon
Colorado State University
Tri River Area Extension
Grand Junction CO
bob.hammon@mesacounty.us
Stink Bugs
• Stink bugs can have major impact
on native & horticultural & agricultural
seed yield
• Hit & run feeding strategy, broad
host range, piercing & sucking
mouthparts
• Many species of native stink bugs
• Feeding in early vegetative stages
causes seed abortion.
• Damage is invisible – low seed yield
Moromorpha tetra on Panicum obtusum
Kelsey Clouse, Seeds of Success , Tucson
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Halyomorpha halys (Stål)
• Agricultural pest in Asia
• Introduced into Eastern US in
early/mid 1990’s
• Population exploded in 2010
• A nuisance home invader
• Notorious hitchhiker
– Introduction into GB is certain!
– already established in OR & CA
• Adult & immature can be
present simultaneously as
gregarious feeders
Stink Bug Survey
• If you see stink bugs in seed
production or collection sites, try to
collect
• Five or more bugs in a collection
• Hand pick them into crush proof
container
–
Conchuela, Chlorochroa ligata (Say)
They don’t bite – if they do, cuss at me and stick them in the jar
• Record location, host plant, date
• Stick them in a freezer
• Contact Bob for mailing instructions
– bob.hammon@mesacounty.us
Brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say)