Experience from countries where the invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) is present is highly valuable to the kiwifruit industry, and New Zealand, in preventing and controlling any potential BMSB outbreaks.

KVH yesterday attended a Plant & Food Research-run presentation by Professor Claudio Ioriatti, a world-renowned expert on BMSB, who shared useful knowledge from the European BMSB control effort.

As Director of the Technology Transfer Centre in Italy, Professor Ioriatti has been touring New Zealand meeting with key groups involved in improving New Zealand’s readiness for BMSB. His presentation included an update on the European Union’s progress in BMSB control and outlined the general impacts of BMSB in Italy and the EU, the current situation, impacts on horticulture, and Integrated Management Strategies such as the use of netting and biocontrol options, as well as insecticides.

Information sharing like this, builds on the knowledge KVH, Zespri, MPI and the kiwifruit industry can use as we continue to formulate short and long-term plans for how we would respond to and manage a BMSB incursion on our orchards. Read the BMSB Readiness Plan (A) for information about how the industry is ready for a New Zealand incursion. Read the BMSB Readiness Plan (B) for information about long term management considerations should BMSB establish in New Zealand.

In August 2018 the New Zealand horticulture industry welcomed the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) decision allowing the release of a tiny Samurai Wasp into New Zealand, if ever there was an incursion of the BMSB. Read the media release here.