The number of Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB) intercepted at the border is down on last season, suggesting interventions Biosecurity New Zealand has in place are continuing to work well.

So far this season, from 1 September to 17 March, 44 live bugs have been intercepted. For the same period last season there were 61 live interceptions.

The decline is likely due to import rules that make it harder for BMSB to enter New Zealand on risky cargo such as vehicles, machinery and parts from countries with established populations. Ongoing reporting and monitoring is allowing officials to target goods that pose the greatest risk.

Similar to last season, shipping lines have been doing their bit to reduce BMSB risk, including carrying out additional surveillance during transit.

Most of the interceptions to date have been on imported cargo, and as anticipated with the easing of travel restrictions, there has been an increase in passenger pathway interceptions.