Fighting the Kiwi Brown Stink Bug: Symptoms, Prevention and Professional Solutions

Since its arrival in Europe, the brown marmorated stink bug ( Halyomorpha halys ) has become a destructive pest for crops, particularly kiwi orchards. Native to Asia, this insect causes considerable damage, both to ripening fruit and during post-harvest storage. To effectively protect your orchards, a combination of rigorous monitoring, good agricultural practices and, in the event of losses, a replacement strategy with robust plants is essential.

This is where Kiwiverse comes in, a wholesale supplier of kiwi plants, which supports producers in reviving their crops thanks to adapted professional solutions.

What is the Brown Stink Bug?

Identification

• Color: Brown-brown with gray speckled patterns.
• Size: Between 17 and 20 mm, larger than local bedbugs.
• Striated antennae: With characteristic white rings.
• Body: A hard shell and an elongated, rectangular head.

Origin and spread

• Native to China: Accidentally introduced into Europe and America.
• First detection in France: 2012, mainly in the South and East regions.
• It is now invasive in many agricultural areas.

Life cycle

• Adults emerge in April.
• Eggs are laid between July and mid-September.
• With five larval stages, young bugs move actively, quickly infesting crops.

Symptoms and Damage Caused by the Brown Stink Bug

Damage to kiwis

• Bites on young fruits: These attacks cause premature falls.
• Visible alterations: Appearance of whitish or woody spots on the skin of the fruit.
• Necrosis and deformities: Bacteria or fungi introduced by the bites aggravate the damage.
• Altered quality and conservation: Affected fruits deteriorate rapidly, compromising their marketing.

Host plants

• Polyphagous: The brown marmorated stink bug attacks more than 220 plant species.
• Main crops: Kiwi, corn, soybeans, stone fruits.
• Wild and ornamental plants: Which promote its reproduction.

To limit these losses, it's crucial to renew your plants with robust and certified varieties. Buying kiwi plants from Kiwiverse guarantees plants adapted to your needs and local conditions.

Ways to Prevent Brown Stink Bugs

Cultural practices

• Regular inspection: Monitor your crops for early signs of infestation.
• Plant residue management: Remove fallen leaves and fruit to reduce breeding sites.
• Windbreak hedge design: Limit attractive plants near orchards.

Specific measures

• Insect Netting: Protect your orchards with effective netting.
• Building Maintenance: Seal openings to prevent bedbugs from overwintering.
• Territorial monitoring: Collaborate with institutions such as the Kiwi Interprofessional Bureau (BIK) for a collective fight.

Favor natural predators

Encourage biodiversity to attract predators like spiders and birds, which regulate the bedbug population.

Biological Control of the Brown Stink Bug

Introduction of natural enemies

The Vespa samurai , a parasitoid wasp, is an effective predator. It lays its eggs inside those of the bug, preventing them from hatching.

Trapping

• Pheromone traps: Attract adults, reducing their population.
• Sticky strips: Capture larvae and adults on trunks or passageways.

Conventional Control of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Use of pesticides

• Approved pesticides: Use specific insecticides against this insect.
• Targeted treatments: Spray early or late in the day to avoid harming pollinators.

Collective management

An effective strategy is based on coordination between producers:

• Synchronized spraying: Limit bedbug movements through organized control.

Kiwiverse: Your Professional Solution to Replace Your Plants

Faced with losses caused by the brown marmorated stink bug, Kiwiverse, a wholesale supplier of kiwi plants, offers solutions to revive your orchards quickly and efficiently.

Why choose Kiwiverse?

• Wide range of plants: Plants adapted to climatic conditions and resistant to diseases.
• Robust rootstocks: Ideal for strengthening the resilience of your orchards against pests.
• Personalized technical advice: Our team of experts helps you maximize your returns.

Our Advantages

• Decreasing prices according to volume: To support large producers.
• Fast delivery throughout France: Directly to your farm within 15 days.
• Free quotes and fast assistance: Response within 48 hours for all your projects.

With Kiwiverse, buying kiwi plants becomes a key solution to relaunch your production with certified and high-performance plants.

FAQs

How to identify a brown marmorated stink bug infestation?

The fruits have whitish spots, visible pits and deformations, compromising their quality.

Is the Vespa Samurai environmentally friendly?

Yes, this parasitoid wasp exclusively targets the eggs of the brown marmorated stink bug, with no impact on other species.

Are insect nets effective?

Absolutely, they prevent bugs from accessing the fruit while still allowing light and air circulation.

What pesticides should be used for this insect?

Approved insecticides, applied in a targeted manner, are recommended to limit their ecological impact.

Does Kiwiverse offer pest-resistant plants?

Yes, our plants are carefully selected for their resistance to diseases and pests such as the brown marmorated stink bug.

Can I get technical advice before ordering?

Of course, our team offers free and personalized advice to ensure the success of your agricultural projects.

Conclusion

The brown marmorated stink bug poses a serious threat to kiwi crops, but an integrated approach, combining prevention, biological control and targeted treatments, can limit its impact.

With Kiwiverse, a wholesale supplier of kiwi plants, you benefit from tailored solutions to replenish your orchards with robust, certified plants ready to face agricultural challenges. Buying kiwi plants from us ensures sustainable and profitable production. Contact us today for a free quote and personalized advice!