Fun Fact

Did you know Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) sometimes spit on fruit first?

The University of California Riverside says BMSB inject digestive enzymes from their mouth sucking parts into fruit to facilitate the extraction of nutrients. This type of feeding often results in spotting and sometimes fruit drop.

The BMSB is one of the kiwifruit industry’s most unwanted pest threats, with many undersirable traits (aside from spitting!) and damaging behaviours. Read more about our work to keep it out of New Zealand, and to prepare in case it were to arrive and establish, here.