I had read in my online search that there were no known mating pairs found in Oregon. I'm hoping this is still the case and I am wrong about what this might be. However with that said I would very much be interested in learning more about this stink bug and how to control it if indeed it is what I think it is. I have taught gardening until just recently and am always sharing information and encouraging folks to garden with their eyes open with regards to invasive species.

I do understand that as an adult there are alternate black and white markings along the outer edge of the back of this insect/bug. With that said is there any way for me to ID it in one of the juvenile stages?

Reporter
Sept. 23, 2010, 10:12 a.m.

Hi Patricia, thank you for the report and excellent photos.

This bug is native to Asia, but is known to be established in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Oregon. Hosts include maple, serviceberry, birch, butterflybush, pepper, pecan, catalpa, hackberry, redbud, citrus, dogwood, cucumber, fig, sunflower, honeysuckle, tomato, apple, plum, pear, rose, lilac, linden, viburnum and grape. Adults emerge from overwintering in April. Eggs are 1/16 of an inch, pale green and laid from June to August. Most egg masses have about 25 eggs. The nymphal stages do not have developed wings. Size ranges from 1/8 to 3/4 of an inch as the insect grows and molts. Nymphs are first red, turning almost black, and then finally becoming brown as adults. They are the typical "shield" shape of other stink bugs, almost as wide as they are long. Injuries caused by feeding produce small necrotic areas on the outer surface of fruits and leaves. Scarring is common on fruits such as apple and peach. On other plants may have roughly circular stippled areas about 1/8 inch wide. Only one generation has been observed; however, there are likely to be multiple generations as it spreads south. Adults begin overwintering at the end of September and become a nuisance as large numbers congregate and invade buildings in search of overwintering sites.

You can read more about this invasive species at http://www.invasive.org/species/subject.cfm?sub=9328

Unfortunately, this species has become established in the Portland metropolitan area.

Lisa DeBruyckere, Oregon Invasive Species Council Coordinator

Lisa DeBruyckere
Sept. 23, 2010, 11:38 p.m.