This week, I received two reports from Davis residents who found the invasive brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) in their house. Although BMSB is typically overwintering (resting stage) in the colder winter months, they can sometimes come out their hiding places, especially where it's warm.
The adult BMSB is about 5/8 inch long, and marbled ("marmorated") brown with beige. It can be distinguished from other stink bugs of comparable size and color by the following characteristics: the antennae have two white bands; the forward edge of the head is blunt; the margin of the shoulder (thorax) is smooth; the legs are marbled brown with faint white bands; the membranous parts of the forewings have dark bands at the tip; and a banded abdominal edge is visible to the side of the wings. BMSB is commonly mistaken for other stink bugs. Read more about this insect in the UC IPM Pest Notes: Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.
In Sacramento County, BMSB were first found in Midtown Sacramento in September 2013 and reproducing populations can now also be found in many surrounding areas. For information and resources in Sacramento County, please see Advisor Chuck Ingels' web pages.
In Yolo and Solano counties, I am interested in knowing when and where residents think they have found BMSB. To report a find, please fill out this survey http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=21733.
Author - Associate Director for Urban & Community IPM/ Area Urban IPM Advisor
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