Oct 9, 2012

Stink bug resurgence worries Md. fruit, vegetable growers

Farmers and scientists say stink bugs are back in a big way in Maryland.

USDA entomologist Tracy Leskey says the population of brown marmorated stink bugs in Frederick County is up 60 percent from a year ago.

Organic farmer Brian Biggins of Adamstown says the numbers are not as high as in 2010. That’s the year federal regulators temporarily allowed fruit growers to combat the invasive insects with certain pesticides that aren’t registered for orchard applications.

Leskey says researchers are exploring other solutions such as baited traps and a native predator called the wheel bug.

USDA scientists continue to study a tiny Asian wasp that holds promise as an even more effective predator. The Washington Post

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