Halyomorpha halys

This is the time of year when we typically receive complaints of bothersome bug break-ins. Fall home-invading insects include the notorious Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs, Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles, and Boxelder Bugs. Less well-known Ohio home invaders include Western Conifer Seed Bugs and Magnolia Seed Bugs.

It’s well documented that a wide range of enemies of insect pests are fueled by nectar. Many beneficial insects wear two hats by serving as both plant pollinators and enemies of other insects. In other words, an effective long-term pest management strategy is to simply plant flowering plants that provide nectar.

I attended a meeting last Thursday on plant pollinators at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden (CZBG). One focus was on managing pests by increasing the abundance and diversity of flowering plants in a landscape. Many beneficial insects were two hats be serving as both plant pollinators and enemies of other insects.

I'm seeing damage on ripening tomatoes in southwest Ohio caused by Brown Marmorated Stink Bug nymphs. I first saw damage from both the adults and nymphs on my own tomatoes in 2015. At that time, we didn't know which direction BMSB populations would take in the southwest part of the state.