On school holidays overseas, kiwi kid Leo from the Bay of Plenty couldn’t help being a biosecurity champion and reporting his bug find.

While out-and-about in Germany, young Leo saw what he knew was a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) and snapped a photo to send through to dad back home in New Zealand. Needless to say, he’ll be double checking his belongings and bags before returning home.

See Leo’s BMSB photos here.

This level of vigilance (especially while on holiday) is great to see – a big shout out from KVH to Leo for being so aware of what the BMSB looks like, and for knowing what to do to ensure it doesn’t travel back to New Zealand with him. This is an example of how easily one of these bugs could make its way here and what a difference each of one of us can make just by being aware and taking a few simple steps.

Everyone in the kiwifruit industry has a responsibility to manage biosecurity risks when travelling. We’ve developed best practice for kiwifruit growers to help reduce biosecurity risk after being overseas (especially if also visiting an orchard or farm); and to explain what growers can expect at border control when arriving back in New Zealand.