AGRICULTURE Victoria is responding to a detection of brown marmorated stink bug in the south-east suburbs of Melbourne.<\/p>\n
Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is a nuisance pest that feeds on more than 300 types of vegetable crops, fruit and ornamental trees, and can cause significant damage.<\/p>\n
It shelters inside homes and buildings, vehicles, machinery and sheds, producing a very unpleasant odour when it\u2019s disturbed or squashed, hence the term \u2018stink bug\u2019, but it poses no risk to human or animal health.<\/p>\n
Agriculture Victoria is the state lead for agricultural biosecurity in Victoria, responding to detections and suspect reports for plant pests.<\/p>\n
Victoria\u2019s Chief Plant Health Officer, Dr Rosa Crnov, said there was a heightened risk of BMSB entering Australia by hitchhiking on imported goods between September and April.<\/p>\n
Agriculture Victoria has commenced trapping and surveillance within a two-kilometre zone around the detection point in Clayton.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are following our standard biosecurity procedures, working to determine if there are any other stink bugs with the aim of preventing any further spread,\u201d Dr Crnov said.<\/p>\n
The federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources put in place strengthened biosecurity measure offshore and at the border for the 2018-19 season and has been intercepting and treating high risk imported goods.<\/p>\n
Brown marmorated stink bugs are 12 to 17mm long, have a distinctive brown \u2018shield\u2019 shape and variable body colour.<\/p>\n
Dr Crnov said Melbourne residents should not be concerned but should do their part by keeping watch for the bug around their homes and are encouraged to monitor their fruit trees.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can identify a stink bug by looking at its\u00a0back, the back is veined and has distinctive black and white branding around the outer edge of its body,\u201d Dr Crnov said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you see one, trap it in a container and put it in the freezer and make a report to Agriculture Victoria, do not crush it as we may need to test the sample.\u201d<\/p>\n
If you suspect a BMSB, make a report to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 or email plant.protection@ecodev.vic.gov.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AGRICULTURE Victoria is responding to a detection of brown marmorated stink bug in the south-east suburbs of Melbourne. Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is a nuisance pest that feeds on more than 300 types of vegetable crops, fruit and ornamental trees, and can cause significant damage. It shelters inside homes and buildings, vehicles, machinery and […]<\/p>\n