AUGUSTA — Entomologists at the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry are seeking public assistance in locating the brown marmorated stink bug.

Recent posts to the DACF’s Maine Bug Watch Facebook page have state officials interested in the prevalence of the insects in Maine. The bug is a major agricultural pest in other states and has caused severe economic damage to a number of crops in the mid-Atlantic states.

To help determine how widespread the brown marmorated stink bug is in Maine, and the risk posed to Maine agricultural crops, the department is asking residents to report sightings of this pest through an online report form: https://tinyurl.com/y97czfd5.

A photo is required to verify the identity of the bug, or bugs can be captured and frozen, with an email report sent to bugwatchme.agr@maine.gov.

Originally from Asia, the brown marmorated stink bug was accidentally introduced into the mid-Atlantic region of the United States in the late 1990s. It has since spread to 44 states. They usually enter structures around early fall to seek a safe place to overwinter.

As a home invader, the brown marmorated stink bug is merely a nuisance. The bug will not harm people, pets or structures.

FMI: www.stopbmsb.org.

This image provided by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry describes how to identify the brown marmorated stink bug.


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