A single male Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) has been detected in a KVH-funded surveillance trap in Orakei, Auckland, highlighting the strength and value of our industry’s biosecurity readiness efforts.

The KVH traps complement the national BMSB surveillance system led by Biosecurity New Zealand, with a network of 300 traps at high-risk sites throughout the country.

Detected Tuesday 3 February, Biosecurity New Zealand identified and carried out immediate site inspections, with no further bugs found, indicating this is likely an isolated detection.

The trap that caught the BMSB is part of a new KVH led kiwifruit surveillance programme based on research funded by Zespri Innovation. Included in the programme is a trial of new trap technology proven effective overseas, particularly in Australia - demonstrating the value of research and development in strengthening our biosecurity system.

Under the Government Industry Agreement (GIA), Biosecurity New Zealand, KVH and horticulture industry partners have clear readiness and response plans for situations like this. This collaborative partnership ensures that when post-border detections occur, we are well coordinated, rapid, and effective. Biosecurity New Zealand has installed additional traps around the area to help confirm whether any further BMSB are present and further analysis on the bug will be undertaken to help determine its origin.

Post-border detections of BMSB in traps has occurred twice before, which have followed similar investigation processes, resulting in confirmation no further bugs were present.

We’ll share further updates with growers as more information becomes available, and during our presentations at the upcoming Zespri Grower Roadshows. For now, this early detection is a reassuring sign that our surveillance network and partnerships with Biosecurity New Zealand and Zespri Innovation are working exactly as intended to protect the industry.

The high-risk season for BMSB in New Zealand runs September – April. For latest data during the season, and BMSB images and videos about the potential impacts they could have on our orchards, visit our website here.