10 August 2023
Not to be outdone by spotted lanternflies, this year’s first brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) showed up outside my window on Tuesday 8 August. His nymphs have been around since June, maybe earlier, but as an adult I think he’s early. Usually we don’t notice the adults until October.
Seven years ago I wrote about the animals that eat brown marmorated stink bugs. Now that the bugs are already here, their predators had better get on the job quickly. Or are they all worn out by spotted lanternflies?
p.s. Speaking of predators, on 8 August I mentioned that researchers are working on importing a natural predator for spotted lanternflies but that it will take years to make sure it’s safe. Well, in 2018 scientists discovered that a natural predator of stink bugs had showed up on its own, accidentally imported the same way as the stink bug. Maybe this will happen for spotted lanternflies. It would save everyone a lot of trouble!
(photo by Kate St. John)
Good article, Kate. That would be great if a natural predator would show up to get rid of the nasty spotted lantern fly. They are so tricky to kill. I’ve tried stepping on them but their reflexes are better than mine and they manage to fly away. Hope Mother Nature provides us with a natural predator soon! I hope we don’t have to wait years.