Stink Bug Monitoring Tool Developed by Penn State Researchers
Posted: May 9, 2011
In the short term, data collected could provide an early warning for growers about where stink-bug populations are occurring so they can take appropriate action to protect their crops. In the long term, researchers hope to learn more about how the pest spreads and moves between crops, with an eye toward developing better management strategies.
The website, which researchers will update and enhance over time, also acts as a portal for information about the stink bug, including photos, a description and management tips for homeowners.
In 2010, an estimated 20 percent of all fruit grown in Pennsylvania was injured by the pest, with some growers experiencing losses as high as 40 percent or more. The US Apple Association estimates that losses last year reached $37 million for mid-Atlantic apple growers.
