Stink Bug Outlook on Berry Crops

That’s a Berry Good Question!!!

Efficacy trials are being conducted by Greg Krawczyk at Penn State’s Fruit Research and Extension Center at Biglerville, and Tracy Leskey of the USDA’s Appalachian Tree Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville. As of this writing, materials that are registered for use on berry crops and that have been relatively effective in their trials are Brigade, Danitol, and Actara, all of which have at least one formulation registered for use on strawberries, bushberries (blueberries, etc.) and caneberries (raspberries and blackberries), and Lannate, which is registered for use on blueberries.  Hero (a mixture of bifenthin, the same active ingredient as in Brigade, and zeta-cypermethrin, the active ingredient in Mustang Max) which was recently registered for use on caneberries and blueberries also was quite effective. To date, 2(ee) labels which give specific directions for use against BMSB have been issued for Danitol on bushberries and strawberries and Lannate on blueberries. The Actara label lists rates for stink bugs in general on caneberries. Applications generally are more effective on nymphs than on adults, and a direct hit of the insects is important for effectiveness. When using any product, remember that labeled rates cannot be exceeded, use patterns (crop, location and rates) cannot be changed, and be sure to watch days-to-harvest limitations which vary for the products listed above.  Information from the trials mentioned above is available in a Powerpoint presentation at http://extension.psu.edu/fruit-times/bmsb-slide-presentation. 

Got a question?  Chances are that someone else has the same question, but isn't asking! Send your question to Kathy Demchak, at 102 Tyson Bldg., University Park, PA  16802, or via email to kdemchak@psu.edu. You will be credited with the question, or can remain anonymous, as you wish.