Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH)’s chief executive Stu Hutchings is working with the automotive industry to tackle those nasty brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB) we’ve all heard so much about.
As much as it is a nuisance and liability to us in the auto industry, it is equally a pest for the horticulture industry as the bugs eat more than 200 different plants, including kiwifruit.
“Our job is to manage biosecurity risk on behalf of the kiwifruit industry.
We have kiwifruit orchards in Europe, particularly Italy, and the BMSB is there causing huge amounts of damage.
The bugs bite into the fruit and inject saliva.
This causes internal damage and the fruit drops off the vines.
Around 30-40% of fruit goes to waste.
“We don’t want them there; they just destroy everything!
“The actions of the automotive industry and the groups that pre-treat is really appreciated and reduces the risk of these nasty bugs getting into the country,” Hutchings says.
Hutchings will appear over video chat in one of VIA’s fortnightly meetings to discuss with members the actions being taken to keep the pest out of New Zealand and what they can do during the high-risk summer BMSB season.
“There is a whole lot of work being done offshore around vehicles and machinery from countries that have been found to have stink bugs in them in the past,” Hutchings says.
“For example, Biosecurity New Zealand rules requires offshore treatment of all vehicles in Japan before they are shipped here, so that we can prevent the stink bugs hitchhiking in.
“We’ve spent time working out what the best treatment is, and that work has now resulted in the protocol that works in Japan in terms of heat treatment.
This is audited by staff who are based there.”
The horticulture and automotive industries are working together in various ways to stop stink bugs coming into the country.
Hutchings says collaborative communication is key, with the VIA and KVH teams raising awareness of what to look out for and what to do if anyone suspects they have found the pest.
“The BMSB can get into people’s luggage from overseas, and actually get inside equipment and boxes.
It’s really important that everyone is aware of what they look like and how to report them.
“The bugs have been found in packages that people have ordered in from the US, like sports gear and shoes.
When people have noticed them, they have done the right thing and caught the bug, then called the Biosecurity New Zealand hotline.”
Hutchings says the two industries exchange information, with him letting VIA members know where the horticulture industry is sitting and informing them on the latest research.
“Also acknowledging and thanking them for the work they’re doing on our behalf.
We want to acknowledge the great role that the combined efforts of the importing automotive industries have in helping reduce the risk posed by BMSB” Hutchings says about his meeting with VIA.
“If you can push the risk offshore and prevent [the stink bugs] from getting into things, it stops a whole lot of angst, cost and time delays.
It’s a really positive proactive part of prevention.
We have a great collaborative approach to improve biosecurity in New Zealand.”
The kiwifruit industry has also completed a lot of research into management of BMSB, and there is further work about the use of agri-chemicals in the works.
“Netting over orchards and physically keeping stink bugs out has been working quite effectively overseas.
By covering the orchards up, it lures the bugs away and allows them to be trapped.”
The BMSB 2019/20 high-risk season at a glance:
Runs through to the end of April 2020.
Biosecurity New Zealand has increased the number of BMSB risk countries from 16 to 33, and targeted vehicles, machinery and parts that have mandatory pre-arrival treatment requirements before being let through.
Increased surveillance and inspection of arriving vessels and cargo from countries with established stink bug populations.
How to identify BMSB:
BMSB are best identified by their size (14-17mm, similar size to a 10c coin), white banding on the antennae, and alternate black and white markings on the abdomen.
They are larger than other similar New Zealand stink bugs.
